
American Dramatists Series 

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American Dramatists Series 

HAFED THE PERSIAN 

A PLAY IN 
FOUR ACTS BY 



NANNIE SUTTON PURDY 




BOSTON 

RICHARD G. BADGER 

THE GORHAM PRESS 



Copyright, 1920, by Nannie S. Purdy 



All Rights Reserved 



Made in the United States of America 



The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A. 



MAi 27 I92U 
©a.D 5 4 OS 7 



HAFED THE PERSIAN 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 



Prominent in the Gheber band. 



Hafed^ Chief of the Ghebers 

Amidar, 

Serjus, 

ROBIER, 

Jafez, 

Alzarman, 
HujiR, 

GUDARZ, 

Omar, Cah'ph of Arabia. 

Ahmed Ramah^ A Persian Deserter, now General 

in the Arabian forces. 
Haschem, 

HiLLAL, J 

Abdallah^ et al., Arabian captives of the Ghebers. 
Buffoon, A Persian at the Cah'ph 's Palace. 
Darilla, Daughter of Algeddin. 
Zenna, Waiting-woman to Darilla. 
Ilya, a Singing-Girl at the Court of Arabia. 
Chamberlains, Dance-Girls, Musicians, A Body of 
Ghebers, Arabian Soldiers, etc. 



Time: The Seventh Century. 

Act I. A Persian sea coast. 
Act II. 

Scene I. A room in a dilapidated Persian fort. 

Scene II. The Gheber Fort — as in Scene I. 
Act III. An apartment in the Caliph's palace. 
Act IV. The Caliph's Court-yard. 



HAFED THE PERSIAN 



ACT I 

Scene: A Persian sea coast. In the foreground, 
extending back, L., the rocky summit of a 
mighty wall-like cliff, beetling ovef Lake 
Oman, that stretching reatward below, R., re- 
flects a sky of oriental splendor. Far away 
on the cliff, L., a glimpse of an ancient fort, 
almost hidden by boulders. In the background, 
bordering the deep-dyed horizon, a hazy, 
jagged coast-line, gleaming like mother-of- 
pearl, fronted by a sombre purple-bronze crag 
sprung sheerly up from the sea, and flushed 
at the top pale flame-color, as with a crown 
of innumerable tiny fires. The whole scene 
steeped rich in color. 

At the rise of the curtain, a band of Ghebers, 
headed by Amidar, Serjus and Robier, all 
equipped with bows and scimitars, appear 
climbing toilsomely by means of lassoes over 
the cliff side. Scrambling to the top, Amidar 
springs to his feet, and snatching from his back 
a flagstaff with folded banner, unfurls and 
swings it aloft, displaying a standard of Per- 



8 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

sia, patterned after the jewel-studded leather 
apron of Kaweh. 

Time : Sunset. 

Amidar {Exultantlyj waving his banner) — 
Thus shall our Bird of Victory flap his wings in 
the eyes of Arabian Vultures! Vain is their stolen 
high perch 'twixt the sea and the sky ! By Kaweh ! 
this night they should fall, had they crawled to the 
sun for a roosting! 

Serjus {Nodding to the flag) — ^Ay, but hood 
the Bird yet — lest the Vultures harry him mean- 
while; — yonder they huddle! 

{Points to the fort.) 

Amidar — Fit quarry for Persian hawks — and the 
fiend, after! In an hour, every road will be 
blocked, and yon shackle surrounded: On! On! 

Serjus — On with good-will! But I, being 
squeezed of my wind, will wait here for Hafed. 
{Sinks on rock.) 

Robier — ^And I, out of pure preference. {Reclines 
near Serjus.) 

Amidar {Scornfully) — Ha! Our Leader found 
lagging?— 

Serjus — Ay, — he who nods not on duty found 
Algeddin and Ramah were not, as ye thought, ar- 
rived from Medina! As for yonder — {Indicating 
the fort) I think on mine oath, Al Hafed disdains 
them, and for very pride of his arms forbids us to 
strike till the Arabic Cock-buzzard comes with the 
fierce-beaked Ramah! 

Amidar {Contemptuously, turning to the rest) 
— By the bones of your sires! — all that plod not 



i ACT I 9 

like camels, but speed to the goal all-conquerors, — - 
follow! and stay for no man! (Hurries on.) {All 
follow save Serjus and Robier.) 

Serjus {Rising and pointing after the band dis' 
appearing) — Beware of the Winged Victory! 

Robier (PFith a jerk of his thumb) — ^Amidar? 
Wherefore ? 

Serjus — In that, being born a cock-sparrow with 
tricks of aping his biggers that dangerously swell 
him, he aims to make plumes of his pin-feathers! 

Robier — ^He shall but fall as he flies — and no 
hurt to me! 

Serjus — Thee! Atom of Paltriness! — art thou 
the Hope of lost Persia? The Sword that shall 
lead her to liberty? — Who thought of thee? 

Robier — How! — The Sword is afraid of a cock- 
sparrow ? — 

Serjus {Seizing him hotly) — Trifler! Gibest at 
Hafed? 

Robier {Springing up, hand on weapon) — Be 
less touchy, or jest shall bear earnest, friend! 

Serjus {Moodily, — releasing his hold) — Peace! 
— I trust you, — and therefore, watch with me! Al 
Hafed, eyes front to the foe, overcomes the raised 
weapons of Hate, but sees not behind him the bows 
of Ambition and Jealousy, — nor reckons that he 
who with ease fells an ox, may die by the dart of 
the puniest! 

Robier — What ! — ^Amidar ! — traitor? — Assassin? 

Serjus — Traitor — ^Assassin — are wide words, Ro- 
bier; there are treacheries black as the pit, before 
which no banner is lowered; there are more ways 
to kill than by the mere thrust into Nothingness, 
fewer dead men would be walking the world 



lo HAFED THE PERSIAN 

with full five senses. {Vehemently, — his face work- 
ing with emotion) I say again, — Watch! 

Robier — Ay, but what is my lord Prince to thee, 
to kindle such fears? 

Serjus {Wheeling and flinging out his arms 
passionately) — The Sun and Moon of my Universe! 
— Breath in the nostrils — pulse in the veins^ — Life 
— and all with it ! Yea, he is Youth to mine Age — 
Spring in my Winter — Child of the Childless — my 
friend! {Sinks down on the rock again, his head 
bowed on his bosom.) 

Robier — Man! {Stepping to him, lays a hand 
on his shoulder) I press you not — ^yet, ere I sink 
in this quicksand of mysterj-, know — Trifler I may 
be — Light-Head I am, — but False-Heart never one 
found me, — and I swear what doth menace our 
general strikes also at me. If it ease thee to name 
it, — speak ! 

Serjus {Rising hurriedly) — I speak! that to- 
night, should I lie dumb yonder — {Points to fort) 
thou, True-Hand, mayst still balk the trickster who 
grasps at the Helmet of Hafed! 

Robier — No ass hopes to hide ears under it? — 

Serjus — ^Asses hope anything. {His gaze broad- 
ening) I look back some seasons, Robier, to a 
desert fainting at noonday. The yellow breast 
of the plain seems darkly streaked as a tiger, for 
the King and his noblest of Persia, betrayed — over- 
powered, fled here to the holes in the hills, to rally 
and die for this land, and their flight was written 
in blood. . . . Like a star shot out of the West, 
a horseman darts in the open: the sun leaps from 
his lance to fondle his mailed breast with a million 
kisses — for he whose steed spurns the earth as though 



ACT I II 

it would sully him, comes as a lord among men, 
or the wraith of a Centaur. , . . Nearer and 
nearer, unslacked, though jaded and dust-blind, he 
sweeps like a wind to the North, bearing good 
news to his master, — the brave — the ill-fated Isdi- 
gerd. Khorassin — Hamadan — Rhe — crushed un- 
der heel by Arabia, have risen out of their death- 
throes to strike a last blow for their country, to 
break the base bondage of Islam, — to rescue the 
throne of their King, — to free him or perish! . . . 
Suddenly, out on the sands, horse and rider pitch 
flat in the dust. The proud beast that went as if 
winged lies senseless and prone, — dying for faith 
to his master, — even as he shall for his . . . King 
of All Heaven! — Why should the noble end thus? 

Robier {Impulsively) — You knew him — ^you 
loved him? — 

Serjus {With emotion) — I knew him — I loved 
him — well. . . . The soldier, quick up, distraught 
scans the waste; a trickle of water may stay the 
life that is flitting, — when lo, nigh at hand, a green 
fringe shadows the rocks ! He dashes toward them, 
— he glimpses Earth's emerald goblet filled full of 
Heaven's own life-wine, — and the light leaves for- 
ever his eyes, his scull cloven through by three 
out-springing Arabs, — blood-lecherous spies of the 
Caliph. . . . He was my son, Robier, and I saw 
his slaughter! . . . 

Robier {With a sympathetic movement) — 
Alas! — poor Serjus. — 

Serjus — I had followed, unseen, round-about, lest 
some peril undo him who scoffed at all danger. 
But the empty space cheated me, and lest I be 
mocked in the beard for a craven beldam, I halted 



12 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

back of the open till he should pass over. Fool 
that I was, — half a league lay between us! ... I 
saw, — and was gripped with a palsy; ere my horse 
could leap forth, another sprung over the slope, 
and charged on the Arabs. Uprooted, I spurred 
madly forw^ard — the earth swayed around me, — 
forms mingled — blades flashed — one glittering shape 

in a river of blood wavered everyw^here Then 

I knew nothing. . . . When I looked next, a 
stranger kneeled by me. My lips touched water. 
A-nigh, two Arabs stretched dead, with their horses 
whinnying by them; the third, mounted, was fast 
disappearing. What matter? — my world had 
crumbled. I looked from its splendid ruin, back 
to him who had succored me. ... His mien and 
dress were not ours, and as he bent down, a jewel 
hid in his vest swung loose on a ribbon of France. 
Enough! // was Hafed. 

Robier {Aghast) — Hafed! 

Serjus — Born Henri de Rohan — Frenchman and 
Christian 

Robier — You dream! — or grief hath wrought 
madness — 

Serjus {With a zvide deprecating gesture) — The 
old answer when Truths have mastery ! What time 
was there for a frenzy? My all was slain — The 
King in jeopardy — Persia a shambles. Vengeance 
— Justice^ — Loyalty — sounding their clarions, si- 
lenced the whines of Creed and Custom. ... I 
crawled to my knees, and besought the Frenchman 
and Christian, in the name of God and Oppression, 
to forward our fight for life and liberty. Say that 
I raved — or that Heaven had sent us a liberator. — 
Not twice I prayed, ere he lifted his sword, and 



ACT I 13 

swore by its graven cross to wield it for Persia! 
. . . We bore my hero's body to the hiding-place 
of his King, — finished his errand — and spurred to 
the front at Hamadan . . . Rohan the Frenchman 
rode there Hafed the Persian, — unconquerable 
leader of our cause. 

Robier — 'Tis the strangest news ever reached 
these ears! And now? 

Serjus (Wheels, intensely) — Now — The King 
for whom we dared much is dead at the hands of 
a hired traitor; jealousy creeps — and the path of 
Hafed grows perilous! 

Robier — It leads through the hearts of all Per- 
sians 

Serjus — We are hot-heads, all: — One breath of 
this matter would start yonder — {Pointing to the 
flame-tipped crag in the distance) — such fires as 
never kindled in worship! He whose Tri-une re- 
ligion polluted the altars he saved, — though be- 
fore them he kneel to our Deity, — the infidel 
stranger — dog of the street, — usurping the lead of 
our patriots — (though God knows none there con- 
tended him!) — What were his portion but death 
— by the fires he outraged ! 

Robier — 'Never! I swear 

Serjus {With a forbidding gesture) — Be not 
fooled Swear but to shield him ! — 

Robier {Raising his hand) — ^That too, and 

Serjus {Catching his arm and pointing) — Look! 
— By the Lord above — women 

Robier — Arabians! strayed from the fort 

Quick! — to the cock-sparrovv^ ! 

{They disappear around the rocks as Darilla 
appears with Zenna, R.) 



14 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Zenna {As Darilla lingers , gazing seaward) — 
La, la! — stopped again, Mistress? If you see 
aught strange in the face o' sea-water, dip a bowl- 
ful tomorrow and bend elbows a-top till it sprout 
coral and flying-fish; but get now within! {Mo- 
tioning to the ruins,) 

Darilla — In! {Looks toward the ruins, shudder- 
ing) — To vaults, where dark walls stifle the body 
and dark thoughts stifle the heart ! Let me breathe 
God's air a little longer 1 

Ze?ina — Hoity-toity! This finnicky mood comes 
from the sun-glamor yonder; 'tis next to a moon; 
rise for making young folks fools. — By the bones 
of my grand-dam! — outdoors or in, / am as sound 
o' wind as a yearling filly! 'Tis time you were 
housed, say I; what if your father should meet us? 

Darilla — 'Tis a far road to Medina . . . my 

father comes not till night, — and tonight 

{Looks again at the water and shudders) — I think 
he will not chide me. {Approaching the waiting- 
woman) Zenna! dear, good Zenna — think you my 
father would ever take me back to his heart if 
I were patient, and sought hard to please him? 

Zenna {With a passionate gesture) — Please him! 
and thou turned infidel? Since thou hast shut ears 
to the voice of our holy Mohammed — may his 
power redeem thee! — to worship with Christian 
outcasts, thou hast plunged into that father's heart 
a dagger which each day thy conduct turns! 

Darilla {Imploringly ) — Zenna! 

Zenna {Hotly) — 'Twere not enough — God de- 
fend him! — his old age should be vexed with this 
strife in the land — that he must leave the lap of 



ACT I 15 

Ease in his own home to smother forever the fires 
of these heathen idolaters; a sorer strife tears his 
breast, since the pearl of his bosom hath dropped 
from his heart to the mire of the Nazarene swine! 
— Heaven scatter them! 

Darilla — Zenna! Zenna! — So bitter against 
me? Have you forgotten the babe that lay on 

your bosom, having no mother beside ? When 

my father was wroth, hid I not in your arms? 
You shut them against me? 

Zenna — Not till you pray and pipe blasphemous- 
ly. What ! — shall I mock the beard of the prophet 
by listing to hymns of one you call "Holy Virgin" 
and "Mother of God"? Go to — ^you should pil- 
grimage to Mecca a-barefoot! 

Darilla — Then I have lost you, and am all alone! 

Zenna {Caressing her) — There, there! — Put 
up lip like that, and I am beat again. Scold thee 
I will, w^eep for thee I do, — but set me down for 
a blockhead Vv^hom Allah pardon ! — love you I must, 
— ^willy-nilly. So — {Coaxingly) — come along 
and taste of his Highness' supper. A good meal, 
saith the adage, is a weapon against care; which is 
sense never got into a sunset. Come! 

Darilla {Embracing her) — I love you — oh, dear- 
ly I love you! — but I cannot return — yonder — yet! 

I should suffocate! If you knew {Chokes back 

a sob) When my father comes back tonight with 
the Emir, Ramah, 

Zenna {Interrupting) — ^We shall see a pair that 
show by other men as roaring lions beside wild 
asses! 

Darilla — Ay — for lions rend the helpless! — 



i6 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

God forgive me to speak it of my father! When 
they come, — do you know what my father demands 
of me? 

Zenna — I know what / should, in his place; that 
you show forth radiantly prankt, — fresh from the 
musk-box, and spangled with jewels like a new-burst 
rose, as becomes the daughter of Araby's mightiest 
satrap, and — {Courtesying low) — the most beauti- 
ful Princess on earth. Then, when you came to 
your senses, and knelt at the altars of Islam, you 
should straightway espouse the noble Prince 
Ram ah 

Darilla {Vehemently) — Oh, no! no! You have 
been as my mother, almost, — you could not force 
me to the arms of a man whom I fear! — whom I 
loathe ! 

Zenna — Allah save us! — an evil spell is upon you! 
Had I such a lover, I warrant there'd be no airs! 
Stands he not as a cypress steepling the hill-top, — 
his eyes twin eagles cleaving an amber cloud, — his 
beard, both Night and Moon-bow? Yea, — dressed 
and trapped, withal, like a sultan! . . . Bah! Let 
a maid be comely, straight turns she a ninny! Well, 
— and what did your gracious father deign to require 
of you? 

Darilla — That I renounce the Christian faith 

Zenna — Fatherly desired! Shall he see you in 
the pit and plan no rescue? 

Darilla (Chokingly) — And pledge myself to wed, 
as soon as this strife is over, with Ahmed Ramah! 

Zenna — Excellently considered ! Why should the 
handsome Emir's love grow baldheaded before mar- 
riage? 



ACT I 17 

Darilla — Oh, Nurse! — Nurse! — Soften your 
heart to me! I must promise all this, or tomorrow 
be sent away, — ay, you have said it, — an outcast! 
I shall lose my own father ! — God help me, — I shall 
lose even you ! My father has sworn he will harbor 
no infidel, nor a daughter who thwarts him! 

Xenna {With renewed caresses) — Tut, tut, 
Chit! Disobey your kind father? — Flout so mag- 
nificent a suitor? What are you thinking of? 

Darilla {Passionately) — Of the Emir! — and how 
I abhor him! 

Xenna {Starting away from her) — You are mad! 

Darilla {Smiling faintly) — Nay, only nearly so! 
{Turning away despairingly) It is as I feared, — 
you cannot help me. Leave me, then, here, while 
you go about supper ; — a bursting heart is better out 
of doors. 

Xenna — heave you! 

Darilla {In a low strained tone) — If you have 
mercy ! 

Xenna — If! If I have a liver! {Going) Take 
your way; could any but our own people happen 
here, I'd not be such a fool. {Pauses) Let thinking 
turn you less stubborn, mistress; salt your discre- 
tion with this: you have two to reckon with, and 
methinks it were better for a maid that she died 
than live to scorn Ahmed Ramah! {Goes.) 

Darilla {To herself, looking after Zenna) — I 
know! I know! — it wefe better that she died! 
{ When the nurse disappears, Darilla stretches he? 
arms entreatingly , as if' to embrace her, then drops 
them hopelessly, glances shudderingly at the sea, and 
turning her back to it, draws from her bosom a small 



i8 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

gold cross, which she kisses and replaces; then, 
kneeling down on the rocks, she prays low and 
tremulously. — ) 

Mother of Mercy! — Lamp of Love — 

Tho' winds and darkness hide from me 

All stars of Hope, I cry to thee^ — 

And grope through Night to Light above! 

I pray thy pure eyes may not see 

How scarred and dust-defiled come I, — 

But lead, O Virgin of the Sky, 

Where thy Sweet Son waits pityingly ; — 

Then, Shepherd of all Sheep that roam, 

Stretch out Thy Hand, and draw me home! 

{As she rises, her face shows set and colorless. 
With a hurried glance around, she springs to the 
topmost rock, raises her arms in mute appeal to 
Heaven, shuts her eyes and casts herself over the 
cliff. Almost as her scream rings out, Hafed, hear- 
ing her in his arms, climbs over the rocks. Darilla 
has swooned, hut appears unhurt. Bearing her to 
a smooth bit of gr*ound, he snatches off his scarf-belt, 
spreads it down, and lays Darilla upon it. Draw- 
ing from his bosom a tiny vial, he pours some drops 
through her lips, replaces the bottle, and moving 
off, watches her. Darilla revives, half-rises, sees 
him, utters a faint shriek, and falls back.) 

Hafed {Quietly, not moving) — ^Why did you do 
that? Have I a dragon's-head ? 

Darilla {Sitting up, agitated) — Nay, but 

{Stops.) 

Hafed — Horns, perhaps? 

Darilla {Breathlessly) — The peak is impassable 



ACT I 19 

yonder — my father has said so. How came you 
there? 

Hafed {Showing his hands and the lasso he car- 
ries) — Mainly by these and this. 

Darilla {Her voice sinking) — I — I thought you 
— a demon! — a Gheber! 

Hafed {Smiling grimly) — ^You preferred to be 
saved by the Angel Rizvan? He was not here! — 
{As she attempts to stand, he steps forward, and 
lifts her to a large rock, where she may rest com- 
fortably) — But Devils are ever at hand. 

Darilla {Impetuously) — Why — oh, why — did 
you save me? 

Hafed — I had no time to think. 

Darilla {Astounded) — ^What! — Had there been 
time ! 

Hafed — ^Ay, even then, perchance, — seeing you 
are a woman, 

Darilla— Ah!— 

Hafed {Calmly) — No more than a scratching 
cat, — not worth while drowning. 

Darilla — Oh! — {Stepping down from the rock, 
and drawing herself up, proudly) Sir! — {Her man- 
ner suddenly changing) Nay, though you speak 
rudely, you have meant to be kind ; — I wish I might 
thank you, — but, had you only known ! — I am 
fainer to die than to live. {Turning away wearily) 
You have but delayed me; I must die! 

Hafed — ^AU the blooms of the garden must fall. — 
{Approaching her, — more gently) But for you, the 
buds are still sheathed ; the sun is new-risen, and the 
birds in your heart should be singing. Why are 
you miserable? 

Darilla — I? — {Clasping her hands in anguish) 



20 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Oh, Heaven! — how help it? — when my father can- 
not love me, and my lover, 1 cannot love! 

Hafed {Starting, frowns) — Love? Heaven and 
Earth! — 'tis the curse of the world: the scourge of 
a thousand thongs! You reach for the lash? 

Darilla — I detest Ahmed Ramah! — (Hafed 
starts) — He is cruel and vengeful; but my father 
is — my life; losing him, there is nothing for me but 
to die. (Goino) Farewell, sir! 

Hafed {Overtaking her) — By Mithras! — you 
go not thus — a wounded hare to the hunters! Let 
me speak with these two! — It will go hard with me, 
but your gods of good and evil shall swear peace 
with you ! 

Darilla (Hurriedly) — Never! You little know 
them My father. Prince Said Algeddin, war- 
ring now with the Ghebers, — you have heard of 
his valor? — 

Hafed {A light flashing into his eyes) — Ay, — 
latterly, much! 

Darilla — 'riien you know 'twere but vain to 
clash with him; as for the Emir — he is a monster 
nigh dread as — (Looking around fearfully, lowers 
her voice) Hafed himself/ 

Hafed (Forcibly)— As Hafed!— 

Darilla (Raising her hand warningly) — The 
Ghcher-chief, — a human tiger, called Fire-Fiend. 
(Without seeing his change of expression, shudder- 
ing, crosses herself) Ah, hush ! — I am like the chil- 
dren who cry at his name 

JIafrd (Loudly)— What? 

Darilla (Creeping nearer) — Hush, pray! — 'Tis 
whispered his fathers were genii! — that he passes un- 
known, save his steps sear the grass 



ACT I 21 

Hafed {Involuntarily glancing behind him) — 
Ha! 

D aril la (In a half-whisper, clutching his arm) — 
You see f 

Hafed — A ficldful of lilies! (As she draws back 
puzzled) Ay, more: — that the babbling of fools and 
burrowing of moles crack the best ground! (Ab- 
ruptly) Can you trust me, or no? 

Darilla (Tiinidly) — I think so, — there are no lies 
in your face. 

Hafed (Bitterly, half -turning away) — You are 
fresh in the world ; 1 have known a woman's eyes 
speak such as would gainsay the writ of prophets, 
and shove Truth herself in a corner; — falsehoods 
a false tongue choked on, — yet the face was the face 
of a vestal! (Facing her) Still, for your sake, — 
(Gives her a scrutinizing look) — despite you look 
somewhat vestalic, — I'll speak with Algcddin 

Darilla (Retreating) — Nay, I pray you! You 
cannot, and — hark! — (Voices are heard in ap- 
proach) Oh, go! — they arc coming! — My father — 
the Emir! 

Hafed (Hand on sabre, advancing) — Fortune 
smiles; I will meet them. 

(Darilla sinks down in despair by the rocks, — 
being hid, as Algeddin and Ramah, with several 
armed attendants emerge 'round a boulder.) 

Algeddin (Stopping at sight of Hafkd so?ne paces 
off, waiting) — Ha! (Clutches the Emirs arm) By 
all fiends — the Gheber! 

Ra?nah (Snatching out his sword) — Then, demon 
or man, I'll at him! (He rushes at Hafed, zuho, 
with a powerful swoop of his sword, at one blow, 
disarms him.) 



22 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

(Darilla starts up with a scream, Algeddin, 
amazed J springs to her.) 

Hafed {As Raiviah leaps to his weapon) — Re- 
member the words of Rustem: {Points down with 
his sword, significantly) ''The earth is dry and cold: 
the air of Heaven is soft and balmy T' 

Algeddin (Hastily) — Hold! {Low to the Emir) 
Forget you the Master? {Motioning Darilla aside, 
— with ill-suppressed fury to Hafed) A father s 
wrath waits on the word of his sovereign! By su- 
preme command, know then, Infidel, — the King of 
Kings, Omar of Arabia and Persia 

Hafed {Imperturbably) — The King of Thieves — 
Robber let loose on Persia: — straighten his titles! 

Algeddin (As Ram ah makes a violent gesture) — 
Forbear! ( To Hafed) But that we carry the word 
of our august ruler, our blades, insolent Heretic, 
ere now had stilled thee! In the name of the most 
illustrious Caliph, we demand fair hearing. 

Hafed {While Darilla, amazed, looks from 
one to the other) — In whose name ye will, — by 
Sun and Moon! — no shifty palaver shall cover his 
villainous deeds, — whether the open spoiling of Per- 
sia or the secret murder of King Isdigerd! 

Algeddin {Trembling with rage, to Ramah) — 
Speak on! Shall this chewer of worm-wood smear 
me with spittle forever? 

Ramah {Struggling for control) — His Mighti- 
ness, the Supreme Emperor of the Faithful, — whose 
shadow endure! — deploring his subjects' bloodshed, 
has charged us with certain commands, to be on 
sight delivered to you. We, therefore, as proxy 
for his most illustrious Majesty, warn you all re- 
bellion must cease, or be crushed out most direly. 



ACT I 23 

Hafed {Leaning quietly on his sword) — Say to 
His Mightiness — and his entire sum of magnificence: 
— If it be rebellion for men of unquellable courage 
to battle against hopeless odds for the peace of their 
homes, the freedom of their lives, the faith of their 
fathers, their country's happiness and their soul's 
honor, — we are, and will be to our last breaths — 
rebels! 

Ramah {Contemptuously) — A fool's bravado! 
What is your handful to the hosts of Omar? A 
dust in the whirlwind ! 

Hafed — Ay, patriots are few in Persia, since 
some over-cautious souls turned traitor! 

Ramah {Flushing — and exasperated) — ^What 
then hope ye, rebelling? 

Hafed — Freedom! — Or along her last march 
from this land to the sky, to follow her banner! 
For, by the Monarch that reigns there! — we are 
well agreed, — rather than live in chains, to die in 
liberty ! 

{The Emir motions impatiently to Algeddin, 
and receives from him a parchment bearing the seal 
of Arabia.) 

Ramah {Brandishing the paper-) — Behold! Our 
ever-glorious Emperor, with incredible magnanimity, 
offers you life in his favor, — your past forgotten in 
a future allegiance to the true faith and its De- 
fender; for all that kneel with you, free amnesty! 
What say you now? 

Hafed {Erect and strongly) — I say Caliph Omar 
is a crowned Brigand who drove millions of rogues 
to seize a King's throne, and bought the King's life 
of traitors by jingling of coin! {The Emir, winc- 
ing j looks down. Hafed advances a step) I say, 



24 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Black Raven of Persia, — or with your changed 
feathers, mayhap. White Owl of Arabia! — I'll not 
be one of the sleek slaves to stoop to the Moslem 
while a sun shines in the heavens, or the earth holds 
room for a handful of ashes! 

Alffeddin {Thrusting forward and pointing to 
Hafed's cap) — Then pluck down your Simurgh- 
plume, and cast it in some fiend's fire, — for without 
magic, you die! {With an arm-sweep toward 
Hafed — to his attendants, loudly) Allah Acbar! 

{With raised scimitars, they rush, shouting, at 
Hafed. In the same instant, Hafed, blowing a 
loud whistle, a body of armed Ghebers leap over 
the rocks, and confront them. The Arabs recoil 
in dismay.) 

Algeddin {Aside to an Arab) — Quick! — Masud 
with the troops! 

{The Arab speeds out unnoticed.) 

Hafed {Having signed his men to draw back) — 
My lords, such magic is ominous: return to your 
capital! Arabia sits at her feast, draining the red 
wine of Persia and deeming her stronghold impreg- 
nable : — let her watch the Omnipotent Writing, lest 
under the walls of her Babylon a river be turned ! 

Algeddin {Disdainfully) — Your Persian parables 
are flimsy fabric, much tinseled 

Hafed — For the maid's sake, I warn you plainer: 
— start with her now for Medina! You shall have 
escort ; — here — at this moment — is danger ! 

Algeddifi {Wheeling, derisively) — Ay, — when I 
sucked mother's milk, there was danger of choking! 

Darilla {Falling at the feet of Algeddin) — 
Dear father — believe him! Let us get Zenna and 
go! 



ACT I 25 

Algeddin {As the Emir bends to raise her and she 
shrinks from him with aversion) — Up, Moon-Face! 
— Know you what you say? 

Darilla {hnploringly) — I know — I feel — this 
man would befriend us! — that he speaks as a true 
man and soldier 

A Igeddin ( Menacingly ) — Silence ! 

Hafed {Sternly — interposing) — Softly! — for her 
sake you live! — 

Algeddin {Fingering the hilt of his dagger, — to 
Darilla) — Now by God the Creator! — how ye 
met — ^what's between you — I know not, — but you 
hold not us both by the hand ! ( Grasping Darilla's 
wrist) Is it me, girl, or himf 

Darilla {Striving to throw herself on his breast) 
— Thee! Thee! Oh, when was it other? 

Hafed {Aside, folding his arms) — Never, one of 
my mind! 

Algeddin {Keeping her at arm's length) — ^Wait! 
Choose your ways here : — ^You accept the true faith, 
and — {Glances meaningly at the Emir) — good for- 
tune that waits you? 

Darilla {Blanching) — I accept — Heaven help 
me! — the faith — I believe to be true — {Draws from 
her bosom the cross, and holds it up, tremblingly) 
— but not — {With a shuddering glance at Ramah) 
— the good fortune, you mean ! 

Algeddin {Hurling her violently toward Hafed) 
— Then back to your infidel lover! You mock me 
no more! {The Ghebers start threateningly.) 

Hafed {Who barely saves her from falling — half- 
drawing his sword) — By Heaven! — you goad me! 
Think you we crawled there — {Points to the preci- 



26 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

pice) — like beetles and hung there like bats for a 
love-tryst? Our work was with >;om/ 

A Gheber {Fiercely flourishing^ his sword) — Ay! 
— Vengeance for Persia and Isdigerd! Why hold 
we back? 

Others {Fiercely flourishing their swords)-^ 
Death to the Moslems! Death to Assassins! 

Hafed — One moment. Comrades! {To Alged- 
DIn) — Your child's love for you was a lily shot up 
in our war-path ; to spare it, I held off a battle 

Ramah {Mockingly) — Battle, — ha ! 

Hafed {Disregarding him — to Algeddin) — 
Swear to treat the maid well, and still you shall 
go hence to safety. 

Algeddin — Swear terms to thee, impious brag- 
gart? Then, may the fiend's arrow strike me! 
Lead on thy troop against seven! 

Hafed — You are numbered and trapped like 
foxes', the troops now hid in your hold — (Alged- 
din and Ramah start and change color) — are 
surrounded: mine wait but a signal 

Algeddin and Ramah {Springing forward al- 
most together) — 'Tis false! 

Algeddin {Trying to reach Hafed) — Save your- 
self. Boaster! 

Hafed {Fencing him off) — Back, Arab! Why 
tempt me? 

Darilla {Frantically, clasping the arm of her 
father) — Father! Father! — for my sake! 

Algeddin {Frenziedly, aiming a thrust at her) — 
Thou, again? — 

Hafed {Who strikes up Algeddin's dagger, frus- 
trating the blow) — Madman! — Shame! Shame! — 
(Algeddin, reeling back from the shock, falls on 



ACT I 27 

the sword of Ramah, who has aimed at Hafed. 
Groans mingle with cries.) 

Algeddin {Writhing in the arms of Emir, — 
to the same) — Avenge me! 

Ramah (Lifting his arm) — I swear by the Lord 
of the Kaaba! 

Darilla {Wildly, leaning to her father) — Strike! 
Strike! Would you leave mef {As Algeddin 
motions her off, a vast tumult sounds in the dis- 
tance. The Arab dispatched by Algeddin runs up 
breathless. ) 

The Arab— Fly \ Fly! All is lost here!— The 
Persians {Sees Algeddin and breaks off, ter- 
rified. The Ghebers spring forward shouting tri- 
umphantly.) 

Hafed {Ringingly, over their cries and the dis- 
tant clamor) — Men! — By your manhood, put the 
maid safe! Man a boat! — {Several Ghebers 
spring over the rocks, — others turn to assist him.) 

Hafed {To Darilla) — Come! — Courage! — we'll 
save you ! — 

Darilla {Motioning to her father) — Never! — 
Never! — from him! 

Hafed {Imperiously, as the clamor increases) — 
Come, I say! — 'Twere your death — I'll not leave 
you here! 

Ramah {To Darilla) — ^Why shrink from such 
gracious protection? No other is left you! 

Hafed {As Darilla seems stunned) — For Life 
and Honor's sake, — hasten! 

Algeddin {Summoning a ghastly strength, — to 
Darilla) — Ay, go with your Beast, silly Beauty! 
{Points to the Ghebers.) Your Guard of Honor 
is waiting — Jackals — Leopards — Hyenas ! Go — 



28 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

light a new blaze to his fire-god! {Slips from the 
Emir's arms, heavily,) 

Hafed {Despei-ately to Darilla, — the noise ever 
swelling) — For the God you believe in, come! 

Darilla {Heedlessly, — flinging herself in an agony 
down by Algeddin) — Oh, live! live!! — and — what 

mean you? — These Persians {Lifts her hand 

to her brow confusedly.) 

Algeddin {With a last effort, raising himself) — 

I mean {Points with a look of hatred to 

Hafed) — he, — your new hero — has killed me! 

(Hafed, starting, dumbfounded, meets the horrified 
stare of Darilla.) 

Algeddin {His voice hollow and gasping) — That 
your Israfil, — silver-tongued angel — and henceforth 
— your only — protector — {Grins horribly) — is your 
country's — arch-foe; the world's — arch-devil! . . . 
Cut-throat — butcher — fire-fiend — Reaper — of Hate 

— and curses — God ! — 'tis my daughter s — lover 

He— Hafed— the Gheber! {Dies.) 

(Darilla, with a cry of terror, falls swooning 
across his body. The din in the distance deepening, 
Persians and Arabs rush shouting together, — save 
the Emir, bent over the dead man, and Hafed, who 
standing an instant, as if paralyzed by the sight of 
Darilla, suddenly snatches her up in his arms, and 
hurrying to the cliff-side, begins, thus burdened, its 
perilous descent.) 

CURTAIN 



ACT II 

Scene I 

Scene : A room in a dilapidated Persian fort. In 
a niche, L., a stone altar, studded with dim- 
burning torches. On the right, gathered around 
a small table bearing a platter of fruit and a 
wine-jug, a dozen or more Ghebers, loung- 
ing on rude stools and benches, are munching 
or drinking. At the right, left, and center- 
rear are entrances. At right-rear, two small 
windows give glimpses, as from a great height, 
of blue low-lying water and a far, bright coast- 
line. 

Time: The next day. 

First Soldier (Flourishing in one hand the plat- 
ter; in the other, the jug) — Figs, and scant meed 
of Moscalla! — But he that remains then unfilled, 
may surfeit on Conquest! (Raising a goblet) 
Drink — to the Despot's down-fall! — (Cheers: 
they drink) — Drink — Confusion to Islam! — 
(Cheers: they drink) — Drink — to last night's vic- 
tory! — (Cheers: they drink) — Drink — To Persia 
and Hafed ! — (Cheers: all drink.) 

Second Soldier (Springing up) — Now, by the 
29 



30 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

immortal Hydarnes! — he that pledges lord Hafed 
drinks to the despot's dowTi-fall, — Islam's confu- 
sion — Persia and Victory! Gods of the Greeks! — 
when he had put the girl safe, the thieves sprawled 
down in his path till earth showed redder than 
heaven where the sun died! 

Third Soldier {As their cups are refilled) — Ay, 
twine for our Lady o' Victory necklets of rubies ! — 
whose diadem goldenly flames with the fall of Al- 
geddin, — the capture of Ahmed Ramah ! 

Fourth Soldier — And what, O Sirouz, concerning 
the gem of the diadem ? — the Arabic maid who was 
smuggled from sight at the first din of battle? 

First Soldier — A fitting reward for the conqueror : 
covet her not — she is Hafed's. 

Fourth Soldier — Nay, by this hand ! — Such treas- 
ure is settled by lot 

Third Soldier—Your lot would be settled full 

soon did you carry this further (There is a 

burst of rude laughter.) 

Foui^th Soldier {Springing up, — hotly) — By 
Ahramazd ! — I yield her not dumbly — I have heard 
her speak, and the nightingales do but mock her; 
she herself shall decide us! {Starts to go.) 

First Soldier — Soft, soft, O too-ready lover ! The 
maid's door is held by he-dragons without and a 
she-one within! {More laughter and gibes at the 
Fourth Soldier.) 

Fourth Soldier — By whose order? 

First Soldier — Prince Hafed's. 

Fourth Soldier — Destruction! The bird was caged 

quickly Has no sugar passed through the 

bars? 

First Soldier — Thou knowest, most scurrilous 



. ACT II 31 

Fowler, Al Hafed has ne'er crossed his threshold 
since we returned hither; that Hujir and Gudarz 
have been constantly with him in conference: that 
for thee or any man the guards of her door are 
quite incorruptible^ — {Springing up and whack- 
ing the Fourth Soldier on the head with the 
empty platter) — that the figs are all eaten, — thy 
betters half-starved, — and except thou go forage for 
food thou shalt die like a slave of a cudgeling! 
{All spring up, and with laughter and shoutSj be- 
labor hi?n with goblets and platters, cleai- out of 
the room. At the door, R., they are met by Serjus 
and RoBlER, leading in Ramah, bound and blind- 
folded,) 

The Guards — Way for him summoned by 
Hafed! 

A Soldier {Mockingly, — to his comrades) — 
Way! — Way! for the Owl to the gallows-tree! 
Hal— Hal— Ha! Ha!— Ha!— Ha!— Ha! {They 
hustle past, jeering as the trio enter.) 

Serjus { Unbandaging the Emir's eyes and mo- 
tioning, with mock ceremony, to a bench, pushed 
up by Robier) — Repose is sweet: — Will the il- 
lustrious Emir, — Past Prince of Persia, Now of 
Arabia, and Would-Be of any Country that paid 
more, — rest, and digest his incomparably — new — 
Koran ? 

Ramah {Ignoring the motion) — Dog! Free me 
of these — {With a tug at his bonds) — lend me a 
stave — and you shall have rest forever ! 

Serjus {While Robier takes up his post at the 
door) — My lord jingles the keys of Paradise, but 
I and this blade have more work to do ere we come 
there! {Feels of his weapons edge reflectively.) 



32 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Ramah — Then to it, hound! I am tightly tied, 
and I fear not the devil! 

Hafed {Entering, R.) — The better fortune; he 
suffers twice who anticipates — and you — may not 
go to your due directly. {Motions the Guards to 
retire. ) 

Ramah {Fiercely) — ^Your wit is well-weaponed, 
Sir Gheber; had I the dagger your villains last 
night snatched from me, I would answer you 
pointedly! 

Hafed {Drawing a dagger from his belt) — Let 
this replace it, when it unbinds you — thus! {Cuts 
the cords from the Emir's arjns, and offers the 
dagger.) 

Ramah {A mazed j snatching the weapon and 
drawing back suspiciously) — I am taken — why set 
a trap ? 

Hafed — To draw the truth from you, Ramah, 
without any compulsion. {As the Emir stands, 
hand on dagger, watching him) — ^Will your Ex- 
cellence sit ? 

Ramah {Sitting guardedly, while Hafed seats 
himself opposite) — Compulsion or no, 'tis useless 
to speak of our plans or resources; I am still Mus- 
sulman ! 

Hafed — If it teaches you honor, the conversion 
is fortunate. {As Ramah starts savagely) — Pray, 
O Excellence, sit! {The Emir hesitates, then dog- 
gedly reseats himself). Could you for once, and 
to save your head, act honestly? {The Emir half 
rises.) Nay, remain seated, / beg! 

Ramah {Thrusting the half -drawn dagger back 
in his belt, sarcastically) — Do me the honor to 
think so ! What then ? 



, ACT II 33 

Hafed {Smiling slightly) — Then — instead of the 
fate deserved of all traitors, and decreed by the 
stars for you finally, you would go back free to 
your Emperor, — with even some color of credit. 

Ramah — Proceed, O Rewarder of Virtue! 

Hafed {Gravely) — I shall seek your Caliph's pro- 
tection at once for the daughter of his dead gen- 
eral: also, — my men being prejudiced against en- 
tering His Majesty's capitol, — I must ask of him a 
suitable escort — not more than six persons — for the 
maid and her woman from hence to Medina. 

Ramah — You are mad ! — or you mock me ! — 
Fling away the prize in your grasp? — Darillaf 

Hafed {Coldly) — These two must go quickly 
to safety. He whose right hand was Algeddin 
would seem their best guardian, — and you whose 
life, twice forfeit, is sworn to Algeddin's cause, — '• 
570U shall be my ambassador. 

Ramah — l! But if I decline, O self-crowned 
Lord of the Universe? 

Hafed — ^You will not, O Prince of Discretion! 
In fact, you live but for this. Prove worthy the 
charge, and j'^our life will be saved, though it sprout 
for the Mower fresh villainies: — swerve from faith 
but a hair's breadth, and vengeance shall find you, 
though you hide in the mantle of Omar! 

Ramah — He shall earn life, indeed, who un- 
scathed sues favors for Omar's defier! {Suddenly 
approaching Hafed) O, Blind to your Interests! 
— kneel with me — say only^ La Ilaha 

Hafed {Rising quickly) — Save breath! Is your 
monarch so base you need more than tell him Alged- 
din is dead and his daughter the Ghebers captive? 
But mark well, O Emir, — he that blots by a breath 



34 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

the scroll where the maid's name is written, shall 
soon cease to breathe, though he lie on the Caliph's 
bosom! 

Ramah {Springing up, — Scornfully) — ^Yet you 
love her not! Bah! — the sun never shone on your 

birth You dropped from a waning moon and 

froze in mid-air! {Meaningly) Strange chance 
for a Persian ! 

Ha fed {Suppressing a start — firmly) — Not 
stranger, great Emir, than that of the Persian who 
lately turned Arab! Less strange than this chance 
for his life. . . . You accept it? 

Ramah — What else? At needs, I should pay the 
fiend's price : Life is Life ! Let me out of this hole, 
— give me boat or horse, and point my direction, — 
since we got here the devil knows how ! 

Hafed — So be it: your guides will explain how 
the Caliph's envoys may reach us. ( Giving a ring) 
This insures their safety. On the day the two 
women leave here with Omar's pledge of protec- 
tion I release all Arabian captives, provided — the 
Caliph's escort includes not Prince Ahmed Ramah! 

Ramah {Going) — Scorpion! — why not he? 

Hafed {Bowing low, and again half siniling) — 
Your excellence will appreciate, the best of us have 
our whims! {Steps to the door and raps. The 
two Guards re-enter.) 

Hafed — The Emir will start for Medina: — 
show him the pass, see him safely off, and report 
to me. 

Ramah {Stopping on his way out) — Grant me 
first, three words with my sister's husband, Abdal- 
lah, — that I bear her some message of comfort. 

Hafed {To the Guards) — Let them speak brief- 



ACT II 35 

ly and privily, — ye and the door-keepers in sight. 
{To Ramah) And you, noble Emir, would bet- 
ter not finger the dagger; your guides are some 
prone to be hasty. ( The Emir slowly lets fall his 
hand from the weapon, darting a look full of venom 
at Hafed. As the trio go out, Serjus contrives 
to pass Hafed.) 

Serjus {Low) — Forbid! — he means mischief I 

Hafed {Low) — Let him do none: — hasten! {As 
they pass out, Hafed ope?ts a door, R.) Lustam! — 
{A guard enters.) 

Hafed — What of the maid? 

Guard — She is even at hand, with her w^oman. 

Hafed — Lead them in. {The Guard retires, to 
reappear with Darilla and Zenna. Darilla 
looks pale and grief -stricken: Zenna, terrified, 
sobbing, resentful.) 

Hafed {Pointing the Guard to rear door) — 
Stand yonder! (Guard moves.) 

Zenna {Dropping hysterically on her knees and 
clinging to Darilla) — Allah save us! — here we 
are, in the lions' den! Mercy!! — What will be, 
will be! 

Hafed {Approaching Darilla, gently) — When 
you are free of the water-spout, I pray a word with 
you. 

Darilla {To Zenna) — Rise! — Calm yourself, my 
poor Zenna — {To Hafed, — her voice all a-quiver) 
— Sir, I am ready to listen, but since — ^since last 
night, — my ears seem cracking with sounds that 
fill my sick brain to bursting; — I crave all your 
patience- 

Hafed {Unconsciously moving toward her, with 
great gentleness) — And all my patience is yours! 



36 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

(Darilla, raising her eyes to look at him, drops 
them quickly to cover her tears,) 

Hafed {As though touched by the sight of her) — 
I would gladly bring you some balm of magical 
soothing, but this side the stars, he called the Heart- 
Healer is winged like a bird, and they travel far 
who find him. . . . {As she makes a despairing 
gesture) Yet be not so wretched! — Even now 
means are shaping to render your state less intoler- 
able ; you shall soon be returned to your people 

Zenna {Shrilly) — Yah — ah-ah! — Then / shall be 
butchered! — Mohammed! — he parts us! 

Hafed {Beckoning the Guard at the door) — 
Take this person out until summoned. {She is led 
away, shrieking in terror.) 

Hafed {As before to Darilla) — ^Your kindred 
will tenderly care for you 

Darilla {Low and hopelessly) — ^You forget I am 
Christian; my people — my kindred — all died last 
night ! 

Hafed — ^You have powerful friends at Me- 
dina 

Darilla {Smiling sorrowfully) — Nay, sir, I think 
— the last of my friends went yonder! {Motions 
after Zenna.) 

Hafed {With sudden warmth) — ^You still have 
another, believe me, who will find you proper pro- 
tection. It seems years ago, yet the bloom is not 

sped that had blown when you trusted me 

Trust me again? 

Darilla {Struggling for control, as she turns 
from him) — Yesterday — I was weak and sinful — 
may Heaven forgive me! — but my eyes were still 
shut to the world's last mockery — ^when men in 



ACT II 37 

Truth's image — speaking Truth's tongue, — did 
murder! 

Hafed — By all that is sacred, you wrong me ! ! 
At the cost of my life this hand would have shielded 
your father — as it only strove to save you! 

Darilla {With a passionate gesture of misery) 
— Ah, whom — whom shall I trust? My father 
said all you deny 

Hafed {Earnestly) — I swear by no oath ever tar- 
nished — I pledge you across the sepulchre of my 
Mother, — as to his death and your safety .[ 

Darilla {Half stretching her hands to him) — I 
would trust you! — I could — but — {Shrinks back) — 
when I think what men call you — {Shudders) — 
And now to be here! — {Glances around fearfully,) 

Hafed — The casket is rough for the pearl, but 
from the moment you entered your purity reared 
here a Mecca of inviolable sanctity; I guard it as 
distant as Araf a ! 

Darilla {With a sudden outburst) — I shall go 
mad if I stay here! — for I know now I must not 
kill myself. . . . All night I have sat at the win- 
dow looking down — down — down — into chasms of 
blackness leaping with spectral fires — roaring v/itR 
hidden waters — empty of ground or pathway: as 
though some spirit of Evil had snatched me up 
from sweet earth to a sunless eyrie I ... If you are 
not — what they say — why do you live here ? 

Hafed {Half-smiling^ and loiuering his voice) — 
'Tis whispered my fathers were genii! {In a nat- 
ural tone, leaning nearer her) See you not, — I, 
who in Arabic fables become every beast in the jun- 
gle, am — God help us! — but a poor half-demon in 
Persia? You remain here only till {A hub- 



38 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

bub without interrupts him. Loud laughter from the 
Ghebers mingles with shrill scolding from Zenna 
as the men surge in, pushing and dragging her 
amongst them with airs of mock gallantry, while 
one, affecting a love-lorn look, picks on a blue- 
ribboned lute. As Darilla shrinks back away 
from them, Hafed steps in front of her.) 

A Gheber {Offering Zenna grapes) — Sorceress 
of Love! — but taste — that the vine and the rose 
may commingle their precious perfumes! {All laugh 
derisively.) 

Zenna {Turning on him fiercely) — Adder of 
Earth — away! (Hafed, about to interfere, is 
stopped by the reappearance of Serjus and Robier, 
who engage him aside.) 

Another Gheber {Proffering Zenna some olives) 
— Nay, Enchantress — vi^ith honeyed lips touch w^hat 
is tart, and sweetmeats shall lie on the dish! 
{More laughter.) 

Zenna — Vermin! would they were poisoned! 
{Knocks the platter out of his hand.) 

Darilla {Low and protestingly) — Zenna! 

Another Gheber {Drowning her words — to 
Zenna, as the men fall to at the table) — Thy voice, 
O Peri flown out of Paradise ! — is music that makes 
the heart drunken ! 

Zenna {Aiming a blow at him) — Dog! — thou 
wert drunken already! 

Darilla { Pleadingly ) — Zenna ! ! 

Gheber {With the lute, ere joining the rest, — to 
Zenna) — ^Ah! those hands — like gentle oysters, 
soft homes for pearls — shall give us who feast a 
new Anahita and a new Heaven. ( With a low rev- 
erence, presenting the lute.) 



ACT II 39 

Zenna {Snatching the lute and cuffing him 
soundly) — A drubbing, villain, they'd gladly give 
thee for stealing! — and a cleansing w^ill I give this 
ere Mistress touch it! {While Darilla with dif- 
ficulty silences Zenna, aside, a Guard enters.) 

Guard {Saluting Hafed) — My lord, the captive 
who spake w^ith the Emir, Ramah, asks to ac- 
quaint you and your company with weighty news. 

Hafed — Bring him in. (Serjus and Robier draw 
aside. ) 

Darilla {With a gesture toward Zenna) — Sir, 
shall we not go? 

Hafed — Nay, a moment wait yondtr— {Leads 
the women aside to an embrasure covered with leop- 
ard-skins. Unobserved, they see and hear what 
passes as the Guard ushers in the prisoner, an 
Arabian of striking appearance, whom the Ghebers, 
turning, eye attentively. The Guard retires.) 

Hafed {To the Arab) — ^You would speak with 
us? 

The Arab {Impressively) — I would change with 
you — {By a gesture including the rest) — ^vital ser- 
vices. For life and freedom, I will point, O simple 
Persians, to one amongst ye whose patriot form, 
plucked of his cloak of hypocrisy, shall stand forth 
blackly a traitor! {There is an instant of conster- 
nated silence. The Ghebers^ amazed, look one at 
another.) 

Hafed {Solemnly, amid great stillness) — I think 
you lie; for I should stake my own life blindly on 
the faith of these — {Indicating his men) — and their 
brethren. Your word will never blacken them. 

The Arab — And what if I offer proof that, 
tongueless, lies not? By Mohammed! — {Looking 



40 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

around scornfully) — I counted not ye would shield 
him! 

Hafed — You mistake: j^ou shall be free, thrice- 
fold, when you prove here a traitor! 

The Arab {To the others) — ^And ye, by your 
honor, hold to this pact? 

The Ghebers {Scoffingly)— Ay —Oh, ay! 

The Arab — Then here I denounce him whose 
messenger just sped to Omar with treacherous over- 
tures! The terms of your sale were easy: Protec- 
tion for a beautiful Princess till she be called for — 
(Darilla in her shelter starts up excitedly) — and 
a lieutenancy over your southwest provinces! For 
these, you would be delivered at once to the power 
of his Majesty, as witness — the ring of Hafed! 
{Holds it up. With a choked cry of rage, Hafed 
wrests the ring from him. The Ghebers leap to 
their feet. Serjus^ with the spring of a wolf, has 
his blade at the Arab's throat when Hafed seizes 

it.) 

Hafed {Tapping Serjus' weapon) — Soil it not! 
{To the Arab^ scathingly) — Your Emperor sinks 
low, indeed, to litter his army with perjurers! {To 
his followers) — Men! — I have sent a proposal to 
Omar — {General amazement) — this ring was Its 
surety, — still, I am honest! (Serjus and Robier 
cheer: the rest look astonished.) Protection — the 
only fitting protection — I sought in the name of our 
common manhood, for the orphaned Arabian 
princess ; yet, that a general of Persians stoop not to 
beg of an enemy, I pledged in return the release of 
our captives. That the ring lent for safety of 
OmaT^s envoys, — six or less persons — should be 



ACT II 41 

given this man to buy life with, was an easy trick 
for his juggling kinsman, Ahmed Ramah my mes- 
senger ! 

Serjus {Fiercely — to the Arab) — And hadst thou 
six lives, Spitter of Perfidies, thou shouldst lose all 
for this calumny! 

Robier {Menacingly) — Let him now choke on 
it! 

Others — Choke him! — Flay him!! 

The Arab {Raising his hand for silence) — ^You 
doubt me and the ring: let Omar's answer con- 
firm me: wait it — and judge for yourselves! 

Jabez — Shameless one ! — freedom for insult ? 
Rather be chained to the rocks till vultures tear out 
the tongue that would blast this, Persia's chief pa- 
triot ! 

The Arab {With folded arms and a slight sneer , 
pointing a finger at Hafed) — He there spake lately 
of jugglers; what think you of juggling that makes 
of an infidel stranger Persia's chief patriot? 

Serjus {Drawing a weapon) — Viper! — not donef 
{There are angry murmurs among the Ghebers, 
who, scowling or derisive, seem in doubt how to 
act.) 

Amidar — By the Lord! — here is something cov- 
ered! What mean you, man? 

The Arab {Boldly) — That your general is 
doubly a cheat ! Neither Hafed nor Persian — I 
swear by the soul of our prophet, a foreign adven- 
turer has, with greed of ambition, gulled you and 
seized on your leadership ! {The Ghebers, im- 
pressed against their own wills, stand mutely, breath- 
lessly staring.) 



42 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Serjus ( S?notheredly ) — Devil !- 



Robier {Forcing a smile) — Nay, he is utterly 
mad — the man has illusions 

The Arab — Ask your chief whether this be illu- 
sion! {Snatching jrom his breast a linen kerchief, 
he holds it up.) It fell from his bosom one day by 
a desert spring. . . . Two Arabs lay dead at his 
hand, but the third rode away with this keepsake. 
. . . Henri de Rohan is wrought here under a 
coronet. . . . Will he deny it is his ? 

A Gheber {Forestalling Hafed) — Infamous 
Moslem! — who would debase him to answer? 

Another {Ouicklyj as Hafed would speak) — 
We know, O Vender of Wisdom, we others are 
dolts and crackbrains ; but tell us in pity if we are 
Fins or Hindoos — English or Esquimaux — Mon- 
keys or Apes? 

Hafed {Calmly motioning them aside) — I thank 
you all, friends, but he that is Hafed the Persian 
was born in truth Henri de Rohan; that is my 
kerchief. {All look dumbfounded — Serjus, ghast- 
ly.) 

Hafed — Guilty of this name I am, and of shar- 
ing your struggles, a stranger, — but of naught else 
the Arab has charged. Ambition! — Ye were bowed 
in the dust when Sympathy lent you this sword — 
Was I ambitious of Ruin? Such as I am, I ran 
to your rescue, and since I have held your cause 
sacred — broken no vow — betrayed no trust — plotted 
no treason — why should I yield up my birthright? 
I own it with joy, that under the vest of a Persian — 
even as a lock from the head of a Mother dead to me 
— I hug to my heart, unspotted, the colors of France 



ACT II 43 

and the badge of Our Lady of Bethlehem. ( Throws 
open his vest^ displaying them. There is a muf- 
fled cry from Serjus, an exultant one from the 
Arab — a gasp, as of joy, from Darilla, which 
passes unnoticed.) 

Serjus (Raising his arm passio?iately, as the rest 
stand consternated) — Of France — yet more Persian 
than Persians! 

Hafed {Signing him to be silent) — Nevertheless, 
your country is mine! In her midnight hour of mis- 
fortunes, I chose her, dowerless, the worthy bride 
of my sword. Despoiled of her jewels, — half-life- 
less with blows of assassins, — her beauty washed 
out with tears — she called to my heart for defence; 
— whether it answered her truly — whether, French- 
man or Persian, for her I have held my life cheap, — 
ye are witness. To say mere would discredit your 
honesty. 

Robier — Ay ! — The Savior of Persia needs no de- 
fence to her people! — But for him — {Points to the 
Arab) — let his blood wash out quickly his lies! 

Hafed — Pah ! — A swallow of wine will drown 
them — {Pours out a goblet and raises it) — Fill your 
cups, comrades! — ^As I trust in her truth, I pledge 
you Our Lady of Persia: 

"Others may find another love as fair; 
Upon her threshold I have laid my head, — 
The dust shall cover me, still lying there. 
When from my body life and love have fled !" 

( The men have mechanically filled their glasses but 
they are left untouched.) 



44 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Amidar {Setting down his goblet) — ^With my 
lord's pardon, the wine is low — I have had my 
portion. {Bows himself out.) 

Another {Setting down his goblet) — And I, re- 
membering a wound, pray my lord excuse me. 
{Goes.) 

Another — The toast of Hafed is echoed by every 
Persian; I would feast on it privately. {Goes.) 

Another — And I say straightly, this coil confuses 
a plain man; I must ponder it ere I drink further. 
{Goes.) 

Another {Stiffly) — When Truth and Error lock 
arms, 'tis dangerous company; let us look closer, 
lords! {Goes.) 

Another {Going) — Methinks, indeed, our lord- 
general hath troubled incredibly much for this 
maiden — our enemy ! 

Another {Vehemently, joining him in the door- 
way) — Maiden! — Prate not of wenches, with 
Heaven's own altars defiled! — Before the Immacu- 
late Symbol of One Supreme Sovereign, Hafed our 
leader hath knelt to a Three-Headed God! The 
breath of idolatry steeps in its foul miasma your 
holiest prayers, — God is mocked and the Crown of 
Isdigerd desecrate — {Points at arm's length to 
Hafed) — Ye follow a Frenchman! — Infidel! 
{Passes out. The rest, with show of clearing 
the table, hurry after, save Serjus and Robier. 
Hafed has stonily watched his mens withdrawal.) 

Serjus {His face drawn with anguish, — falling 
at Hafed's feet) — Hafed! — Noblest of Earth !-^ 
Why didst thou stop my defence of thee? 

Hafed {Bitterly, raising him) — Because, in his 
blindness, Hafed thought not to need it, — nor 



ACT II 45 

wished thine own compromise. {Turning to the 
Arab) — We may dispense with your honorable pres- 
ence! {To Serjus and Robier) — Set him loose! 
— Let him taint the air here no longer, lest we die 
of the poison ! ( The Arab is led out. Rear. Hafed, 
as though unconsciously following to the door, 
stands gazing out, lost in reverie. Darilla, — who 
in the shade of the embrasure has watched all, 
spell-bound, — half -hesitating, starts toward Hafed, 
but is plucked back by Zenna. ) 

Zenna {In a fierce whisper) — Miserable! — fol- 
low a traitor f 

Darilla {Low) — Nay! — Nay! — I believe it 
not! 

Zenna {In a fierce whisper) — Thy would-be be- 
trayer! 

Darilla {Low, putting up her hands, piteously) — 
ISlayH 

Zenna {Hissingly, snatching from her bosom a 
small dagger) — Then will I kill myself! 

Darilla {Clasping her, — scarce audibly) — God! 
— I go with you ! 

{With a lingering, passionate look at Hafed, she 
yields Zenna her hand, and they pass out unno- 
ticed. After some instants, Hafed, rousing him- 
self, turns and with cleared brow approaches the 
embrasure, but stops short with a fresh look of bit- 
terness on finding it empty.) 



CURTAIN 



ACT II 

Scene II 

Scene: The Gheber Fort, — as in Scene I. Be- 
fore the altar J now ablaze with torches, a great 
company of Ghebers in reverential attitudes, 
chanting a hymn of worship. Slant sun-rays 
piercing the windows wrap the figures in faint- 
colored mists, painting their raiment softly. 
Above and beyotid, the altar lights burn bril- 
liantly. 

Time: The following morning. 

The Ghebers {Chanting) — 

Ere yet in formless void was raised 

His Tent of white and blue, 

The Light-of-All — His power be praised! — 

Smote the all-darkness through. 

Dread night His flaming lance did flee, 
And by that primal pyre 
The immortal Was — Am — Is-to-be 
Proclaimed Himself in Fire. 

Wherefore, O blazing Symbol, hail! — 

Sole t3^pe of Purity — 

Thy holy portent ne'er shall fail 

While faithful bend 

46 



ACT II 47 

Amidar {Bursting in wildly) — Up! — Up from 
your whining! — The way is open — save yourselves! 

All {Starting w/)) — Ha! . . . What!! . . . 
The enemy / 

Amidar {Feverishly) — Ene?nies! — Persian and 
Arab! — By heaven, enemies! {Rocks with sudden 
fierce laughter.) 

Jafez {Shaking him roughly) — Crack your nut 
soon, for God's sake! 

Amidar {More controlled, — rapidly) — Ay, here's 
the meat of it! . . . For reasons mine own, I 
chanced out ere the day robed, — say, for a whiff of 
the sea! . . . But nearing those portals of Para- 
dise, my Lady of Araby's w^indov^^, I glimpsed there- 
trelliced a Moon-Flower this Bulbul fain would 
have piped to. Good! — I hop to a buttress, and am 
casting about for a hearing, when lo ! — up the water- 
front, dilly-dally, comes my Lord Hafed. No mar- 
vel — just two of us sea-sick! — so, while he doubled 
my tracks to the wall, I hugged it, waiting his trick 
to the window. . . . He showed not; I peeped 
through a cranny — no inch of him anywhere; — 
easing up, I craned over the buttress. . . . Below, 
in the old altar-niche, by these eyes! — knelt Al 
Hafed, — praying by neither the red lips of Love nor 
holier symbol than the Cross on a heretic's sword! 
And then — then, as the fiend lives to laugh at us ! — 
chanced a prettier trick than I looked for! . . . 
Gripping the stones, my hand slipped — struck a bolt 
— something slid in the wall and went THUD! 
... I looked down and pummeled my eyes, — but 
a stone door, at least, is no moon-shine matter, 
and that one had trapped my lord neatly! {Hugs 
himself with another burst of harsh laughter.) 



48 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

The Rest {In a breath — consternated) — Trapped 
him! — You left himf . . . Ha fed f 

Amidar {Shrugging — defiantly) — ^Why should I 
undo Fate's fastenings? — ^What is written, will 
be {Cries of rage stop him.) 

Jafez {To the rest) — Quick, to his rescue! — 
{To Amidar) — By Eblis! — if thou have killed 
him 

Amidar {Barring the way) — Fools ! — hear me! — 
Al Haf ed will last, but your Hour of Omen passes ! 
Have ye thought on his walk by the water? { They 
pause J with atte?ition arrested,) 

A?nidar — 'Twas no Light o' Love tryst, — though 
as secret; he watched for the sail that should waft 
here the Caliph's cur with his message of com- 
promise! Ill had it fallen in your hands ere it 
reached Hafed's! — And ne'er might it chance, but 
that — saith the adage — the prayer of the wicked con- 
founds him. While he prayed, the boat landed ; in 
a moment the Arab will be here. . . . Consult 
him! — then rescue your traitor! 

The Ghebers {At variance) — So be it! . . . 
Well said! . . . Nay, traitor when proven! — You 
out-run the warrant! . . . 

Amidar {Raising his arm, vehemently) — ^Weak 
Flounderers all ! — ye have come to the Rock of De- 
cision, betwixt the two Seas! One way 3^ou must 
choose — with this Turncoat or no ! Learn the mes- 
sage of Omar unmeddled with; if Hafed show 
honest, release him! If not, — spare your qualms; 
his doom is of Azrail ! . . . But hasten ! 

Several Voices — Spoke justly! — The Arab! — See 
first the Arab! 



ACT II 49 

Jafez— But after? — Who'd ward off the Mos- 
lem? 

Amidar {Proudly) — I, Son of Al Hassam! 
{They burst out in ridicule.) Yea, by the womb 
that bore me! — in Hafed's own steps, save my faith 
be clothed in one color! 

Jafez {Smiling grimly) — The Shoes of Hafed 

are large. . . . Do we coax, or compel this 

(Amidar signs warning as Serjus enters with the 
Arabian.) 

Serjus {Presenting the visitor) — Ye that honor a 
valiant foe, salute him ! — for a flaming sword sleeps 
now in the belt of Ad Vakass ! ( The company and 
the Arab exchange profound salutations.) 

Amidar {Stepping out, quickly) — I speak for 
all — {By a gesture including them) — who, know- 
ing the bold Ad Vakass, show wonder-struck; — 
why sleeps the swordf 

The Arab {With a grave smile) — That would I 
say to your Chief! 

Serjus — ^Ay! — where's Prince Hafed? {As no 
one speaks) — Herjil! — Ammas! 

Herjil {With averted eyes) — I — have not yet 
seen him 

Ammas {With averted eyes) — Nor I 

Another {As Serjus looks wonderingly at him) 
— I neither 

Serjus { Suspiciously ) — What ! 



Amidar {Meaningly) — The Lord Hafed had 
early business out by the water-front — {Grins sar- 
donically) — doubtless to welcome our guest there, — 
and is not returned. 

Serjus — 'Tis strange — {Eyes them keenly) — 



50 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Why look ye, lords, to be chewing a mystery? — 
{Clutches the arm of Amidar, his voice trembling) 
— Is — aught wrong with Al Hafed? 

Amidar {Shaki?iff loose) — We shall know when 
we hear his message! — {Signifyirig the Arab. To 
the rest) — Come! — Let us find Hafed! — he should 
be this way — {Leads out, R. As they all hurry 
out, Serjus Tuoodily following, Darilla peers in 
at the back mid-entrance, — her face showing white 
and excited. When all are gone but Serjus, she 
steals in, and, finger on lip, signals him. Surprised, 
he lags till the other's are out of heari?ig, then turns 
to her.) 

Darilla {Low) — You love Lord Hafed f 

Serjus { Eagerly ) — Ay ! — Ay ! ! 

Darilla {Low — hurriedly) — I think — I am sure, 
— there is something strange here ! — At dawn, I was 
by the window, watching the first sun-spangles, 
when, glimpsing Amidar opposite, I sprung back 
till he should pass. . . . When I peeped out again 
he was gone, and Lord Hafed coming that way, 
seeming most pale and troubled. I — I know not 
how 'twas, but his look so drew me, I watched 
him come up to the parapet; then I sudden caught 
sight of a figure crouched on it under a buttress, 
peering down evilly. . . . {Leaning close and whis- 
pering ) — A m idarl 

Serjus {Almost grasping her) — Thenf — and 
then f 

Darilla — I was so startled, I shrank down in ter- 
ror — for Zenna was sleeping, — when something be- 
low crashed heavily. ... I sprung up and looked 
— it was like black magic! — Hafed was nowhere — 
nothing had fallen — only Amidar hung over the 



ACT II 51 

parapet, leering! Next moment he sprung down 
and seemingly felt of the wall with — (Shuddering) 
— Holy Mother! — what looks of triumphing mal- 
ice ! Then ran — ran like a hare out of sight — 

even as I spied your boat landing! . . . And in all 
the time since Lord Hafed has never 

Serjus {Seizing her arm half-frenziedly) — Come! 
— Treachery! — treachery ! ! {As he dashes out, urg- 
ing her on with him, a confusion of voices and bois- 
terous laughter sounds without, from the Ghebers, 
returning. They enter, Amidar assuming to jest of 
Hafed with the Arab,) 

Amidar — Pah! — leave this genius his vagary! — 
'Tis the vanishing trick of his forbears, the Genii! 
{Suddenly fronts the Arab, — his manner changed 
sharply.) But, by the Lord! — though Hafed ab- 
sent him, we others stand eager; — if it be not his 
secret, give us quickly your tidings! 

The Company — Ay! — to the point! — Come! 
Come! ! 

The Arab (Proudly) — The word of my Master, 
I, Ad Vakass, betray not; I am sent to your 
Chief ! ( There are groans and derisive mutter- 
ing s. ) 

Amidar (With a significant glance at the rest) — 
So ! . . . And were there a paper, — some slight go- 
between from your humane Emperor to a graceless 
Fire-Fiend, — worth our considering? . . . (Fierce- 
ly) — Should we not rightly seize it? 

Ad Vakass (Calmly) — Perchance — but I should 
be dead first ; and my Emperor — ( With a deep rev- 
erence) — May his shadow lengthen! — has millions 
more to avenge him. 

Amidar (Springing forth with drawn scimitar) — 



52 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Spy! — you acknowledge it? — {At his gesture every 
blade flashes out) — Then look you — we made no 
truce! — we have pawned no pledge! — our swords 
are awake! — {He presses close on the cool, half- 
contemptuous Arab, — his blade raised and menac- 
ing) — Quick now, with your message I {The 
Arab, laying finger on lip, and gripping the hilt of 
his sword, steps back, shaking his head disdainfully ; 
the Ghebers, with howls of rage and aimed weap- 
ons, spring toward him.) 

Amidar {Barely holding their blows with a sign, 
— his own sword near touching Ad Vakass, — his 
face livid with rage) — Fool! — See you not? — the 
message! — or nothing can save you! {The Arab 
has been pressed back near the doorway, which, in 
the last instant, Hafed, pale and half -fainting, — 
helped by Serjus and Darilla, — has, unnoticed, 
reached. Ere one is aware, thrusting forward he 
slips on the Arab's hand the ring first pledged for 
his safety.) 

Hafed {Imperiously, — lifting the hand of Ad 
Vakass) — But the ring of Hafed! {There is in- 
stant recoil. The Ghebers, amazed, fall back, loit- 
ering their weapons.) 

Hafed {Now erect and ringingly) — He that, be- 
traying an envoy, shames here Persia and the dead 
Isdigerd, lays down sword in their service ! ( There 
is silence. The men stand abashed; Amidar, hand 
on blade, fingers it sullenly. Zenna peeps in and 
draws back terrified.) 

Hafed {Turning to the Arab) — Forget this, my 
lord; — misfortune is salt on the heart, — oppression, 
a goad in the sore. — You have news for us ? 

Ad Vakass {Bowing profoundly) — Ay, Prince! 



ACT II 53 

(Draws from his bosom a packet.) The Most 
High and Excellent Lord of the Earth, — The Axis 
of the Revolution of Time — Successor of Abubeker 
— Defender of the People of the True Faith — The 
puissant King of Kings, great Omar Ebn Al Khat- 
tab, — God's Shadow on Earth — on whom be the 
blessing of Heaven! — sends this, — {Offers the 
packet) — v/herein, as a cup heaped with jewels, lies 
garnered wisdom. 

Hafed {Taking the packet) — We thank him. 
{Turns to Darilla in the doorway) — Lady, this 
matter is yours, — pray enter! (Serjus leads her 
forward, — Zenna^ with pursed lips, following.) 

Hafed {Handing packet to Amidar) — You have 
been anxious: read it! 

Amidar {Half-sha?ne-facedly tearing open the 
packet, reads:) 

In the Name of the Most Merciful God: — 

His servant, Omar Ebn Al Khattab, greeteth 
Hafed the Persian: — 

Our faithful Ramah brings us your fair propos- 
als, which have our favor; yet as somewhat remains 
for our common interests requiring a personal set- 
tlement, we name you our chosen escort for Prin- 
cess Darilla and her servant here to our residence, 
pledging our word for your safety, coming and go- 
ing. On this small condition, proving to us your 
good faith, we will receive and provide for both 
women as becometh the Princess' dignit}^ Other- 
wise we cannot negotiate. Praised be Allah, who 
ordereth all things! 

(Signed) Omar, the Caliph. 

{ The first sentence blanches all faces; — as, Ami- 
dar, hot and elated, reads on, hands clap to weap- 



54 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

onSj — eyes flash, and forms stiffen, — tillj finishing, 
Amidar passionately crashes the letter and flings it 
at Hafed's feet, — who, deathly pale, stands as 
though carved out of granite, Darilla, as pale, 
has grasped the arm of Serjus, and unconsciously 
clings to it. For a tense instant no word is spoken.) 

Jafez (To Hafed^ — in a dulled tone) — fVhat 
make you of thisf 

Hafed {Speaking as a corpse might, — his eyes 
fixed before him) — That the spider, Ramah, hath 
spun a wide web. . . . Nevertheless — {With a 
mighty effort rousing himself, — to the Arab) — 1 
will go to your Caliph ! 

Amidar {Fiercely, as his comrades show stupe- 
fied) — You would not attempt it ? 

Hafed — What should hinder me ? Frenchmen do 
not leave women defenceless — and in sooth there — 
{Points to the Caliph's letter) — is matter for per- 
sonal settlement. {To Robier) — Come! Have 
the captives led out — the boats and the horses 
ready ! 

Jafez {hitercepting Robier, to Hafed, chok- 
ingly) — Stop! — You flee from suspicion? 

Hafed {Flashing a look around) — Let him stand 
forth that suspects me! {As they hesitate) — Is faith 
a matter of neighborhood ? I am everywhere Hafed 
the Persian till Persia forswear me, but the fate 
of this girl is my care, and by my own honor! — 
hers shall not be tossed like a bauble amongst ye! 
{To Robier) — Go! (Hafed approaches Daril- 
la.) 

Another {Thrusting forward and pointing vin- 
dictively to the girl) — For her sake, mark! — For a 
mincing jade sprung of her bloodiest enemy, Persia 



ACT II 55 

is perilled! {There are mutterings and some 
hisses. ) 

Hafed {With a shrug j — putting him aside) — Ex- 
tol me not, friend ! For a woman's honor there are 
everyday men who would gladly peril the world! 
{To Darilla, while the men scowl darkly) — Will 
you make ready? 

Darilla {Falteringly) — We are ready, my lord, 
— but — since these take it ill, give us another escort! 
We — we shall be safe, indeed! The Caliph loved 
— my father. . . . Stay, — {Suddenly lifting her 
head, she looks around proudly) — aiid refute their 
calumny! 

Hafed {Amazed, taking her by the hand, gently) 
— I shall refute it, doubt not, — but I must go with 
you. {Inclines to Ad Vakass) — Precede us! 
{The Arab salaams profoundly and goes. As 
Hafed follows with the women, Amidar starts up 
furiously.) 

Amidar — Persians! — will you suffer itf 

Several Voices — Never! . . . This seals his 
guilt! . . . He defies us! . . . {With hands on 
their weapons, they leap to prevent him.) 

Hafed {Towering over them) — What! 

{Scornfully, his eyes on their weapons) — You 
dare not, my lords! ... By the laws of all coun- 
tries men are innocent till proven guilty. You 
have tried, it seems, to fasten some treachery on me, 
but no atom sticks to my shoulders. . . . Mark ye 
more — without formal court-martial, my rank is un- 
scathed as your general, and by the bright Day and 
dark Night! — he that draws on his chief shall be 
strung to a tree for his venture ! ( They pause ir- 
resolute. ) 



56 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Hafed {One hand on his sword j the other held 

out to Darilla, — blandly) — ^Will you come? 

(Darilla, trembling with terror j lays her hand in 
his own and is led toward the door, — Zenna, stum- 
bling with frightj close behind. When they have 
taken some steps, the Ghebers, surging together 
with furious cries, block the way.) 

Amidar {At their head, — half beside himself) — 
Hafed, or Henri of France! — General or 
crowned Arch-Angel ! — from the moment you enter 
Medina, we brand you a traitor to Persia, — so to be 
dealt with on sight ! 

Hafed {Coldly) — 'Twill not be the first time 
that Justice, led blind-fold, has stumbled. {His 
glance covering them all) Lords! — in my philos- 
ophy, we weave at our looms as the stars color our 
threads, but no man may finger my pattern ! {Draws 
and raises his sword determinedly, — his voice stern 
with command) — Let us pass! 

{There is some hesi- 
tation, then slowly and sullenly, as though stupefied, 
the crowd about him gives way. Between them, — 
sword up and head high, looking neither to right nor 
left, — Hafed leads out the women. With a wild 
cry, Serjus flings up his arms, with clenched fists 
beating the air.) 

CURTAIN 



ACT III 

Scene: An apartment in the Caliph's palace. 
Ceiling inlaid with rare woods, supported on 
pillars of silver. Walls hung with tapestry. 
On the right J a curtained alcove. To left, a 
high and curving throne-chair, covered with 
tapestry of scarlet, flowered with gold. Enter 
dance-girls led by Ilya^ playiiig softly on musi- 
cal instruments. They seat themselves grace- 
fully on banks of cushions, and continue their 
music. They are followed by court-chamber- 
lains, nobles, Magians, wise men, etc., preced- 
ing the Caliph and his attendant generals, — 
HiLLAL, Haschem, Ad Vakass and Ramah. 
Between their sumptuous uniforms, the 
Caliph^ — fniddle-aged, tall, dark, and robed 
in plain white, — is a striking figure. 

Time: Two days later. 

Caliph {Seating himself, while the music stops) — 
Let our Princess-guest and the Gheber, Hafed, 
attend us! (Two chamberlains, making low rever- 
ences, withdraw.) {To the musicians) — Proceed, 
O Joy-makers ! ( The music continues. To 
Ramah) — ^You have fetched the ore from the 
quarry; help me cast one die in this metal, and 
we've coin to pass us through Persia! 
57 



58 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Ramah {Bowing profoundly) — Pardon, O Great 
One! — the metal is rarely unmalleable ; I may in- 
deed heat it, — thou, only, can'st beat it! 

Caliph — He comes! — {Points to the entrance) — 
By Mohammed! — I would he were of us! Our 
flags would fly higher — Just Allah! {Breaks off, 
staring, as from the opposite side Darilla enters 
with Zenna and other attendants. She is richly 
apparelled, and sadly beautiful.) 

Ramah {Dryly, aside to the Caliph) — ^You re- 
pent your protection f 

Caliph {Unheeding, — his eyes fixed on Darilla) 
— Pearl of the Seal — Rose of the Dawn! . . . 
{Sharply catching Ramah's arm) — Why had you 
not told me sooner? 

Ramah { Stam m eringly ) — My lord ! — I 



Caliph {Low, — as Darilla and Hafed ap- 
proach ) — Present them ! 

Ramah {Advancing, as Darilla kneels with her 
women) — King of all Kings! — the daughter of Said 
Algeddin offers her homage. 

Caliph {Motioning Darilla to rise, — with 
wa?'mth) — The daughter of that brave soldier hath 
our love and friendship. Welcome! {Motions her 
near to a seat, piled with cushions.) 

Ramah {Turning to Hafed) — And here, O 
Chief of the Faithful, the Chief of Ghebers waits 
your will and pleasure. 

Hafed {With fervor)— Th^ Lord forbid it! 
Heaven's will, and a bit of my own pleasure, is all 
that I wait here, believe me! 

Caliph {With dignity) — Heaven's will is our 
will, and our pleasure may yet prove yours; where- 
fore, and for the return of our subjects, — welcome! 



ACT III 59 

{With a liffht gesture he turns off. Hafed, bow- 
ing with scant-veiled irony, flings himself at the feet 
of Darilla.) 

Caliph {His glance sweeping over the group of 
dance-girls) — Among these blossoms, where's our 
dainty thrush? 

Ramah {Motioning toward Ilya) — Yonder, O 
Graciousness 

Caliph — Hither, sweet Bird! — -and tune our 
minds harmonious. {She glides to the Caliph's 
feet J and, posing gracefully, sings to her lute.) 

SONG 

The Night-Lily swings on a silver wave, a-top of 

the turquoise Sea, — 
And Love is a swift gull cleaving space for a home 

in the heart of me. 
Ah, Love! — find rest in another breast, till the 

winds of the Sidrah-tree 
Shall waft him hither, who ne'er passed yet yon 

hill's blue boundary! 

Oh, Dove of the soft-tuned song ! — full long have I 

mocked and railed at you, — 
But the roses suddenly rocked today, in my yard 

where a light breeze blew — 
And I saw One there with Sun-bright hair, who 

unto mine arbor drew — 
And his locks were wreathed with musk-dewed 

leaves that out of the Sidrah flew ! 

{The song finished, the girl, at a kindly nod from 
Omar, returns to her place.) 



6o HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Caliph {Turning to Darilla) — First to the 
lady: — ^Princess, approach! {She obeys.) For thy 
father's valor, and thine own virtues, — nested in 
beauty as lilies in priceless porphyry, — we hold no 
honor above thee; and our bounty is boundless. 
Our care we offered, — {Leans down graciously ^ his 
hands extended) — and our kingdom give, — so far 
as wife may share it 

Hafed {Springing up as Darilla reels back, 
aghast) — Never!! 

Caliph {Coldly) — Your guardianship has ceased I 
(Hafed starts, disconcerted. To Darilla) — 
Speak, Shy One! — Shall the bosom of Omar not 
shelter his chosen jewel? (Hafed, straining for- 
wardj hangs on her answer.) 

Darilla {Pale and trembling, — brokenly) — Par- 
don, Your Majesty! — I — I am not worthy 

(Hafed, with an air of relief, straightens.) 

Caliph {With ardor)— Tht Sun gilds that 
which it shines on 

Darilla {Shrinking back, — wildly) — Nay, — Nay 
— I pray you ! — I cannot! 

Caliph {Angrily) — Is the girl mad? — Or is it a 
sicklied coyness? 

Ramah {Hissingly) — She has been incited to 
this ! 

Hafed {With the bound of a tiger) — To this! 
— To what, my lord Ramah? — The resistance of 
virtue to force? — The defence against craft of in- 
nocence? Or if coyness, — by Heaven! — well were 
she coy of one-sixth a man's heart, — seeing how 
five wives might scratch her! 

Caliph {Sfnotheredly, as his officers clap hands 
to weapons) — Stop! ... {To Hafed^ his face 



ACT III 6i 

wrinkled with wrath) — We spare you yet, for our 
purposes! {To Darilla, his aspect softening) — 
Cannot! — saidst thou: and wherefore? Thou art 
now thine own mistress, — fairest of women, — and 
chosen bride of an Emperor! 

Darilla {Looking down^ — cheeks scarlet , and fin- 
gers twisting desperately) — My lord, — you know 
not! — I am Christian! 

Caliph {Drawing back, horrified) — Christian! — 
{Suddenly smiling, he again extends a hand to her.) 
A casket of gems, the day thou confessest to Islam! 

Darilla {Sinking to her knees) — Forgive me, O 
friend of my father ! — not even his love could avail, 
— my faith I must keep! 

Caliph {With an abhorrent gesture) — Moham- 
med in heaven ! — The wench is a shrew of iniquity ! 
{In rage — thunderingly) — Why art thou here? 

Hafed {Lifting her, and standing as tho^ he 
would shield her) — For a broken faith, — a refuge 
denied, — hospitality shamed! You have much to 
learn of the Ghebers! 

Caliph — And something to teach them! . . . 
{Quickly, to Ramah, — pointing a lean forefinger 
at Darilla.) She hath spurned both ourself and 
our holy religion; how punish her? 

Ramah {Vindictively eyeing her) — A hundred 
stripes on the soles of her feet (Darilla ut- 
tering a cry, — Zenna leaps to her; Hafed, snatch- 
ing at his sword, sees a dozen blades bar it, — a dozen 
bent forms over-matching him, and stands fairly 
at bay.) 

Ramah {Continuing — his gaze shifted to Hafed) 
— ^And if she persist, — banishment to some island 
tending to foster repentance! 



62' HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Caliph {Doubtfully) — ^Ay — 'twere merited! 

Ramah — Else Mohammed were sunk to a by- 
word, — the Caliph mocked in his Court! 

Caliph {Looking up, piously) — 'Tis the will of 
Allah! — So be it. (Darilla, wild-eyed, stands 
motionless.) 

Hafed {Ringingly) — What! — you forswear your- 
self? {Raises his arm with a gesture so ter- 
rible, the Caliph, instinctively, shrinks.) Honor- 
less hypocrite! — have you no shame of the world? 
Our mission is known, — betrayal means blood on 
your head — blood on your hands — and a blot on 
your fame neither legions nor time may wipe out! 

You dare not! {Again flash the officers' 

weapons, — again they are stayed by Omar, even as 
he chokes with anger.) 

Ramah {Thickly) — Let him be the scourger! 

Hafed — Not though my body be burned! {The 
Caliph, shaken ivith rage, motions Darilla back 
to her seat.) 

Caliph — We rest the maid's sentence. . . . To 
you, now! 

Hafed — "Our common interests" still hold 
me! 

Caliph {On the verge of another outbreak) — 
You! — Chief and abettor of rebels — you should be 
torn limb from limb and tortured of devils ! ( With 
effort controls himself.) A lesser mind had so sen- 
tenced you, — but the good of our empire, — the 
wreath of our greater glory — the spread of our 
faith, — forbid it, if you may serve us. {As Hafed 
starts) Listen! Our business in Syria languishes, 
— the Grecian dog lacks muzzling, — the fangs of 
Egypt drip rank, — while you waste our patience. 



ACT III 63 

Your cause is hopeless; you there — {Pointing) — in 
this instant are helpless; — for love of your coun- 
try, join us ! Say the creed — consent to be our lieu- 
tenant there! Your past and your people's for- 
given, — your future made golden, — this maid shall 
then go unwhipped — (Hafed winces) — and Persia 
shall rise from her ashes, a radiant phoenix! 
{Pauses.) Refuse, — {His brows bend darkly) — 
and your hand in this matter — {With a gesture to 
Darilla) — ^more than cancels our guaranty; — 
Surel}^ you die ! ( While he speaks, the face of 
Hafed is swept with desperate emotions, under 
which his very form sways. He looks to Darilla, 
and meeting her eyes, looks off in agony. The 
Caliph's gaze widens with hope. A moment he 
watches the quivering figure turned fro?n him, — 
then, as Hafed wheels toward him, he bends for- 
ward expectantly.) 

Hafed {With a motion, as though shaking a load 
from his shoulders — his face transcendent with pas- 
sion) — Not for the vi^orld! — nor for all worlds, — 
with the sky for a carpet — the sun my crown, and 
the moon for a foot-ball! {The Caliph falls 
back, blankly. With heaving breast, stretching 
his hand toward Darilla, bitterly) — Honor and 
faith against yon poor maid I pushed in your trap — 
and Honor first under Heaven ! . . . Yet I am not 
torn limbless; — O merciful Caliph, to wring 
merely body from soul I 

Caliph {Sardonically) — When you sue for mercy, 
we shall know to be merciful 

Hafed {Dropping to his knee) — Then for her, 
I pray merc>" and gratitude! — In the name of the 
deeds of her Sire! 



64 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Caliph {Frowningly) — Ha! — and yourself? 

Hafed {Springing up, — proudly) — I belong, as 
ever, to Persia! 

Caliph {Hotly — looking around helplessly) — By 
Heaven! — must I fight for him? Live for your 
Persia ! — live, I say, as we showed you ! 

Hafed — Nay, I love death better! 

Caliph {Exasperated) — Then have your love! — 
seize him! {fVith a siuift leap, Hafed grapples 
the unprepared monarch, and making his body a 
shield, bends it back, till the throat lies under his 
sword-blade.) 

Hafed {To the Caliph's officers) — Over your 
Emperor! — Come! {Spell-bound with horror, not 
a soul stirs. Side and back, the high curving throne 
rears its barricade; in front, the monarch's own 
body hangs, hazarded by a movement. With eyes 
half-starting the Court stares, breathless.) 

Hafed {His sword at the throat of Omar) — 
Swear before Heaven whether your message was 
justified! 

Caliph {Quivering under the steel) — Nay! — be- 
fore Heaven! 

Hafed — Whether, as far as you know, I go to 
death true man or traitor! 

Caliph {Agonized) — True! True! — by Mo- 
hammed I 

Hafed {Raising his sword and flinging off the 
Caliph) — Persia! — my sword is wiped clean! 
( There is, instantly, deafening tumult; a dozen men 
seize him.) 

Caliph {Frenziedly, over the uproar, — stagger- 
ing in the arms of his officers) — Slay not! — He 
shall be burned! {A piercing scream from Daril- 



ACT III 65 

LA ririgs over hoarse shouts of Allah Acbar! . . . 
Fire for the Fire-Fiend! — Burn him! . . , As the 
guards are hurrying him out, Darilla, half- 
swooning, falls on her knees in their way.) 

Darilla (/^f/J/>0— Mercy!— Mercy !!— Ye that 
fought with Algeddin, see! — flesh of his flesh I 

kneel to you ! — Save him who saved me ! ( The 

Guards, with a glance half -compassionate, seek to 
pass by.) 

Hafed (Falteringly) — Sweet Princess, rise! — 

it is useless (As her women tremblingly raise 

her, Darilla, with open arms, again bars the way, 
— now facing Omar, but with changed aspect; — 
white and stern-faced, — her slim figure straight and 
austere in its misty draperies, she suddenly appears 
like a beauteous, avenging angel.) 

Darilla {Her voice high and clear, as in ecstasy) 
— King of Arabia! — I only am blamable — burn me 
in place of this man ! — He hath saved both my life 

and my honor To rescue the child of your 

general, he laid his life on your word, and risked 
all his credit of loyalty! . . . I — I, only — ^have tres- 
passed ! — for, Caliph or Clovv^n, no man can hold 
faulty he that is true to himself! {A hush falls 
over the room.) 

Caliph {Embarrassed and awkward) — ^You see 
through favor's spectacles — ^we, with clear eyes. 
{To her women, pointing) — Take her yonder and 
calm her! 

Hafed {Brokenly, as Darilla sinks, crushed, in 
their arms) — With all of my heart, I thank you! 
{Meeting her look of dumb anguish, he looks down, 
shuddering. She is led aside, and he moves on 
firmly.) 



66 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Caliph {Hurriedly, — to Ram ah) — He fears not 
the fire — will nothing humble him? 

Ramah {Between his teeth, — looking after 
Hafed) — ^Ay! — methinks I could reach him! 

Caliph {Low) — A thousand gold dinars! {To 
the Guards with Hafed) — Halt there! {The trio 
halt in the doorway.) 

Caliph — Good Ramah repairs our oversight; 
{Waving his hand to Ramah) Speak! 

Ramah {Stepping forward) — Lest the Persians, 
in spite to His Majesty, hereafter pretend this a 
martyrdom, the Sword of God — {Inclining to 
Omar) — stays his hand till the Ghebers them- 
selves pronounce sentence! {Dramatically.) His 
own men charge Hafed with treachery! To es- 
cape trial he came, — more than to safeguard this 
lady — {Motions to Darilla) — a truce shall be 
sent to his captains, inviting them here to hold 
trial! To prove his good will for his future sub- 
jects, our magnanimous Emperor hands over their 
traitor redhanded. 

Caliph {With folded hands — piously) — In the 
hope of converting infidels: ever our purpose! 

Ad Vakass {Stepping out) — I am ready: the 
passport! 

Caliph {Hastily drawing off and handing a brace- 
let, marked with a jeweled signet) — Fail not, and 
keep it! Bring Gudarz, Hujir, — {Turns inquir- 
ingly to Ramah.) 

Ramah — Firouz, Alzarman, Jafez, Amidar, — all 
honorable judges! 

Hafed {Dryly) — Ay! — trap the six and you 
have us! {To the Caliph) — I beseech your 
friendliness, rather send me back with what escort 



ACT III 67 



you like, to die at their hands as you please, 
burn me now out of good will and send them my 
cinders for amulets — they should work quick con- 
versions, — I will bless your piety if so this maid 
and her woman be sent free and unscathed from 
your borders! 

Caliph {Tu7-ning off haughtily, — to Ad Vakass, 
imperiously) — Go!! {The Arab, with a low 
salaam J hurries out. To a chajnberlain) — Hang the 
Gheber's weapons in yonder — {Indicating the al- 
cove) — and guard him. {They divest Hafed of 
arms. ) 

Caliph {His eyes on Darilla) — The maid 

{StopSj gnawing his beard.) 

Ramah {In his ear) — Joint guilt — joint punish- 
ment! 

Caliph {Stei'uly) — Without full repentance, will 
at the same ti?ne be disciplined. {To her attend- 
ants) — See to her! {Touching his robe, with a 
sinister glance at Hafed — to Ramah) — Come! — 
to cleansing and prayer! 

Hafed {With a sudden, supplicating movement — 
his voice half -stifled) — As you hope Heaven's an- 
swer, hear me! {The Caliph, astonished, turns.) 

Hafed — ^You have wreaked your will, — no mat- 
ter how, — to the fool, his folly! — but the dying have 
sometimes a privilege. . . . My fault recoils on 
this maid, — hedge us round column-thick, but in 
God's name, give me one moment to privately speak 
with her! 

Ramah {Quickly, — seeing the Caliph hesitate) 
— Your Majesty will not countenance 

Caliph {Unctuously) — God's Vicar is generous! 
— {Picking up an hour-glass, in which the sands 



68 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

have run low, he gives it to Hafed's guards.) 
Take this out, and while the sands run, let them 
be! 

Ramah — But, Majesty {The call of the 

muezzin resounding without, the Caliph turns 
suddenly.) 

Caliph — To prayer! — To prayer!! {He leads 
out, loftily, the rest of the company following. 
The Guards, last, retire by the several entrances, 
leaving only Darilla and Hafed. She, white- 
cheeked and motionless, regards him dazedly. He 
takes a step forward and stops, his eyes searching 
hers: — twice he attempts to speak, but the words 
stick in his throat, and he turns his quivering face 
from her. Then, desperately, he approaches her.) 

Hafed {Low, — voice and gesture full of en- 
treaty) — Darilla! — I am to blame. . . . Forgive 
me! 

Darilla {With a sobbing breath, half wildly) — 
You! — ^You are to die for me! 

Hafed {Passionately) — I could ask no death 

sweeter, if so you were safe {His hands drop, 

clenched, to his sides.) 

Darilla {Moving nearer, amazed) — ^What! — 
You — who hate women 

Hafed {With deep emotion) — I knew not a 
woman so brave and so guileless had sweetened the 
world! . . . Before you came, I thought of Love 
as an evil, mischievous bird, sharp of beak and claW, 
— safe only when leashed to Reason and handled by 
its tamer, Time. ... I lay on a desert, afar from 
the palms and the water-founts, deeming Truth lost, 
because I had followed a mirage. . . . {Leans to 
her, passionately.) Then, in your face shone all 



ACT III 69 

the dear quest of my dreams! — ^your voice called 
like a thrush, and my heart knew its mate, and 
shook with its songs of ecstasy. ... By a magic 
as old as the universe my desert bloomed out more 
fair than Delight's silver gardens, — more sweet than 
with leaves of the jasmine. . . . Except for these 
walls, 'twere as though you and I had drifted 
through sapphire seas to islands of Paradise, 
breathing the perfumes of Heaven and drinking the 
Peris' music. . . . For I know that I love you! — 
and I pray — Oh, I feel — that you love me! 

Darilla — I love you! — yes ! yes ! — I love you 

{She falls on his breast, weeping wildly.) 

Hafed — Courage, love! — listen! — {Lowering his 
voice) — I shall think of a way — there must be a 
way — for our rescue ! I am hard to get rid of — ^you 
were made for good fortune — There's always a way 
— and ril find it! 

Darilla {Looking up tearfully) — Ay, {She 

starts aside at a rustling of tapestries. The cur- 
tains parting, the Guards and the women enter.) 

Hafed {Meeting Barilla's look with a forced 
air of confidence as he is led off) — Remember! 
{With brimming eyes, she nods dumbly; Zenna, 
weeping bitterly, folds an arm around the girl, as 
they follow the waiting-women, — Darilla looking 
back miserably till Hafed is gone. Turning, she 
shrinks back on confronting Ramah, entering.) 

Ramah {Stepping in front of her, — peremptorily 
to the women) — ^Wait without — I would speak 
with Her Highness! {While they obsequiously 
withdraw, the song-girl, Ilya, peers in a side en- 
trance, and glimpsing Ramah, unseen, slips within, 
hiding behind the great tapestry.) 



70 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Ramah {Motioninff ironically, where* Hafed 
went out) — Thafs ended! 

Darilla {Icily, while her voice trembles) — The 
worse for your honor, my lord. 

Ramah — My honor's sum is, — to love you! — 
So that, pride in the dust, I crawl back to plead 
like a slave for your rescue ! I — I, only, — can save 
you from mortal disgrace, — and — great God! — 
{Seeing her look) — am I a pestilence? — Then, turn 
me by love! As the horns of the moon to her star, 
I will reach to your liking! Make me in what 
mould you will — I will kiss your hands! . . . Let 
these arms but defend you, — this breast be your 
shelter — Shame shall pass from you, and the wife of 
Ramah laugh overmore at fear! 

{With arms folded tight on her bosom, Darilla 
draws back, shuddering.) 

Darilla — God save me from love that mingles its 
kisses with scourging! — Could I ever have loved 
you — as He knows I never could ! — ^your knout had 
beaten love out. I will die by scourging — by axe — 
gibbet — poison! — rather than enter your life, — for 
I loathe you, — even as I love Hafed, the Gheber! 
{Her voice rises passionately.) Ay, if he die, I'll 
joy to die with him — nor Caliph nor Vizir nor 
any fiend on earth shall stay me from his doom! 
And so I go to my women. {As he stands stupe- 
fied, she passes him swiftly, and is gaining the door, 
when, with a cry of rage, he springs after her. 
The curtain swings back, and Ilya stands in his 
way.) 

Ilya {In a low, thrilling tone) — Ahmed! {He 
starts back with clenched fists, biting his lip. 
Darilla goes out.) 



ACT III 71 

Ilya {Reaching both hands to him, — softly) — 
She stabbed you, — I wait to bind up the wounds! 
{With a muttered imprecation, he turns away sul- 
lenly. Dropping her hands, her head sinks de- 
spondently; then, looking up, she timidly moves a 
pace nearer.) 

Ilya {With great sweetness) — I mind the time 
well — though it seems in some other life, for you 
were both little and kind — when, not a thorn in 
your thumb, but you crept through the hedge that 
this hand might pluck it! . . . Not an early fig, 
or choice comfit, was yours, but I had the half — 
{Stops, with breast heaving.) What flower but 
love hath gratitude f — It is long since then — I am 
woman grown, — and my heart holds a thousand 
blooms — only — for you! {Starting, and still turned 
away, he shrugs his shoulders in silence.) 

Ilya {Her voice intensified) — I have looked to 
your love as poppi^ wait for the sun, — while indif- 
ference whipped me like wind-swept stubble! For 
you I have lived — ^without you I die, — though near 

you my joy is torment. . . . But she / {Shud- 

deringly points to the door.) Oh, we are women 
both, but like — as fire and ice! {He drums with 
his fingers impatiently.) Though her beauty were 
moulded in Paradise, what should it profit you ? As 
soon might blood run — the heart leap — in shapes of 
hewn marble, as you win a smile of her! Justice, 
O Pitiless! measures you scorn for scorn! {Stretch- 
ing out her arms, appealingly, — her voice low and 
bi-oken) — Learn then to pity me! 

Ramah { Wheeling round, raging and scornful) — 
Women are ye both — but you, by that one, — {Point- 
ing after Darilla) — hideous! {She shrinks as if 



72 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

from a blow.) Have you no glass? She — is a rose 
in the dew! — ThoUj — shrunken and swarth as a 
dried apricot. . . . Your bones might serve for nut- 
picking — not kisses ! ( With a cry of anguish she 
buries her head in her arms, hiding her face in hef 
hair. ) 

Ramah {Making to pass her) — Away! — ^Away! 
— thou baleful, bellowing screech-owl! {Reaching 
the door, turns.) And take for thy need, that a round 
cheek and a roguish eye are conquering weapons 
where angels would w^eep and fail ! {He strides out.) 

Ilya {Sweeping back her long locks, gaspingly) 

— Prince of Cruelty! {With a shriek she falls 

headlong, tearing at her black hair wildly. As 
she lies weeping and prone, the curtains move 
stealthily, admitting the large head and misshapen 
shoulder of the Court-Buffoon, Ismiel. His in- 
quisitive look changes instantly to one of distress 
and compassion. Closing the curtains behind him, 
he softly steps in.) 

Buffoon {Standing beside her, — gently) — 
Princess ! — ^Why are you grieved ? 

Ilya {Raising her storm-swept face to look at 
him, — bitterly) — Mock me not with dead titles! 
Child of Prince Sohrab I was, but now — Scorn's 
daughter! {Dropping her head on her arms, she 
falls once more a-weeping.) 

Buffoon {With feeling) — Behold then, thy fos- 
ter-brother ! — for if Scorn be not mine own Mother, 
— I was early put to nurse with her ; — cuffed awake 
o' mornings, — kicked to bed o' nights, — and jeered 
at all day long; till I grew bold enough to return 
her some stray licks and pinches. What can I do 
for thee, Sister? 



ACT III 73 

Ilya {Sitting up suddenly and speaking slowly) — 
What wilt thou do for me? 

Buffoon — ^Ask and see! Life, with this twisted 
body, costs many pangs, — Death but one; and for 
you, I'll not be particular. Say on! 

Ilya {Springing up, — low and guardedly) — 
Ismiel! Thou knowest full well why I left Per- 
sia; that I gave up home — friends — rank, — my 
world I — for the lot even of singing-girl in the 
enemy's court, — {Her voice breaks) — and the hope 
of touching a heart that was already flint ! I fol- 
lowed Ramah, and he despises me, — Oh, mockery 
of Love! . . . But thou — {Glances about hurried- 
ly and speaks yet lower) — once staunchest of Per- 
sians, now apostate to Omar, — where is thy heartf 

Buffoon {Kneeling, with arms outstretched, — 
softly) — Here! 

{She recoils, dismayed.) 

Buffoon {Rising hastily) — Nay, I hope — ask — • 
nothing of thee! — to whom I, worthless within and 
without, may nothing offer! I craved but the light 
of your face^ — and followed to find it! 

Ilya {After a swift look about, — as before) — 
Then turn with me, Ismiel! — for, by the Grod 
above — though my body be prisoned, heart and soul 
I fly this hour to my countrjM {Searchingly) 
You are with mef 

Buffoon — Forever ! 

Ilya {In a whisper, — breathlessly) — Prove it! 
Since the entrance-guards have been doubled, one 
Arab, only, stands at the door of Hafed ! 'Tis 
Geshem — who loves me, I think — since Fate jests 
with us all! Whisper him that I wait him in the 
west arbor: take his place — unbar the door, or 



74 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

force it — free Hafed — and — Stay! — ^When Kaled 
has lit the lamps here, no one else will pass shortly. 
Bring Hafed here, — take the weapons yonder — 
{Points to the alcove) — Back of that door is an 
unused passage with a low end-window — one bound 
puts j^ou over the hedge — there's an old fountain- 
basin gone dry, with a pipe a big man could crawl 
through 

Buffoon {Eafferly) — And the pipe runs under the 
wall! 

Ilya — Ay ! — get without quickly and fly for some 
spot out of Persia, till the toils of Ramah be loos- 
ened. Geshem shall hold his discovery, — and 
Heaven help ye both! . . . Save Hafed! — Save 
him to our country, Ismiel! — wipe out our recre- 
ance — and be first in this poor heart — {Falteringly) 
— while my life — lasts! 

Buffoon {Joyfully) — For that, I would roll the 
world from its axis, had I way, and thou bade me! 
I fly for thee, Ilya! {Going.) 

Ilya — Victory! Victory, Ismiel! {They hurry 
out in opposite directions. They have scarcely gone 
when Kaled, humming a rude air and bearing a lit 
taper, enters and goes slowly lighting the lamps.) 

Kaled {Singing) — 

We earth-worms grovelling in the dust, 
Blindly a-grope for drink or crust, 

Great Allah own: 
Since not King Mahmud on his throne 
May bind .^e softest breeze that sings. 
Nor fold again the flow'ret's wings 

From Summer flown. 



ACT III 75 

{Being old and halt, several moments elapse ere 
the spacious room is ablaze with radiance from the 
many precious hangirig-lamps. Near the end of his 
ditty Hafed and the Buffoon peer in from the 
shadow of the entrance, R. When Kaled has gone 
they hasten in, a-tiptoe.) 

Hafed {Loiu, — hurrying Buffoon to the al- 
cove) — Quick! — Arm and fly 

Buffoon (Halting, astounded) — What!! 

Hafed {Dragging out weapons from amongst the 
Mussuhnan uniforms) — The troops! — Persia — and 
more — depends on it! 

Buffoon — Are you mad? — Meet those six with 

Ad Vakass {Motions as though cutting his 

throat. ) 

Hafed {Arming and thrusting other weapons on 
Buffoon) — ^We'll take a road round 

Buffoon {Dolefully) — Ay, — and those left be- 
hind will asli you in to the fire! 

Hafed — Not till they follow me here 

Buffoon {Falling back, open-mouthed) — Om- 
niscient Allah! — Back here? 

Hafed — Dolt! — show the way! — the maid must 
be rescued — my comrades must have fair play I 

Buffoon {Backing against the door) — But — your 
head, when your comrades condemn you? 

Hafed {Exasperated) — Bury it. Come! 

Buffoon {Squatting, legs crossed, on the floor) — 
Nay, if our noddles be lost, let us e'en save our 
legs 

Hafed {Half-frenziedly, tapping him smartly 
with his sword) — Rogue! — there are times on this 
old topsy-turvy, when to lose means to pluck from 



76 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

the peaks of Glory laurels immortal; to bear to the 
shrine of the stars rich banners of conquest; to 
carve on the pillars of Fame a tablet eternal! 
{Wrenches open the door) Follow me! {Rushes 
out The Buffoon, thi-own to his feet, close 
after.) 

CURTAIN 



ACT IV 

Scene: The Caliph's Court-yard. In the fore- 
ground, R,, a splendid pavilion, its canopy of 
crimson brocade, wrought with gold, is sup- 
ported by pillars of silver. On the ground 
beneath is a priceless carpet of Persia, scat- 
tered about with silk and tapestry cushions. 
On the right stands a resplendent throne-chair, 
over-hung with the captured standard of Per- 
sia, — the much-jewelled Apron of Kawek, — 
surmounted by the flag of Arabia. Conspicu- 
ous on the left is a brazen pedestal, topped by a 
carven lions paw, upholding a translucent stone 
sphere, glowing at its center dull-red, shading 
outward red-copper. 

In the background, encircling the pavilion, 
a terrace set with flowering pomegranates and 
lilies. To the left a fountain. Beyond the 
grove, far away against the horizon, like a 
plume in the cap of Heaven, the silver and 
azure top of Mount Ohod. The Caliph, clad 
simply as ever in white, is seen with Ramah, 
Haschem, Hillal and others, approaching 
the pavilion at rear. In the act of entering, the 
Caliph turns. 

Time: Three days later. 
77 



78 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Caliph — Friends, leave us here and watch, even 
against hope, for poor Ad Vakass; — since it would 
seem this project trips, we must take thought alone. 
{As they withdraw, he touches Ramah's shoulder, 
beckoning him within, and the two enter hastily.) 

Ramah — Shadow of God, fear not ; I would stake 
this hand Ad Vakass comes 

Caliph {With a quick glance about, drawing him 
further) — Think you such fancies fret me? This 
head — {Clasping it) — for Vakass' surety! — and 
that he hath the Persians fast by the rope of sus- 
picion. . . . Shall they trust Hafed, who doubt 
their dead mothers? — {Smiling wryly) — haply re- 
membering their lives! Ad Vakass is safe, — 
{Gloomily) — But a raven croaks in our bosom. 
Look yonder! {Glowering, he points to the stone 
on the pedestal.) 

Ramah {Glancing, — vaguely) — The Sun- 
ball f 



Caliph {Anxiously) — See you naught strange 
there ? 

Ramah {Staring) — Nothing, Sublimity; unless 
—long looking dulls it 

Caliph {Excitedly) — It pales each hour since sun- 
rise ! ( Ramah, starting, whitens. ) 

Caliph — From its own blood-color, — like these 
rubies — {Thrusts out a hand be-ringed) — this! 

Ramah {Slowly, — in a forced tone) — Ay, — 'tis 
altered! . . . What saith the magian, Behwar? 

Caliph {Moodily) — That were it a star, he 
could read it; or a moon, he might prate wisdom 
wisely; but it being — ^you Persians claim — a sun- 
stone, — of mystic influence, and, in sort. Destiny's 
weather-vane 



ACT IV 79 

Ramah {Somewhat haughtily) — It was so held 
by the whole Sassan dynasty 

Caliph (Dryly) — Ay! — we need your Persian 
diviner. 'Twas ill-judged, killing him! {Ap- 
proaching the pedestal, stares down at the stone, 
perplexedly.) 

Ramah {Following, uneasily) — Tortures, 
Majesty, could not open his lips but to the King 

Caliph {Turning], searchingly)^ — He never 
raved ? 

Ramah {Evasively) — Nay, only once mum- 
bled 

Caliph {Clutching his arm) — Praise Allah! — 
Whatf 

Ramah {Hesitating, then forced to it, desperate- 
ly) — ''Beware the changed {Instinctively both 
glance to the Sun-ball, which shoius even paler. For 
an instant their eyes meet, consternated.) 

Caliph {Lifting his arms toward heaven as he 
strides away) — Soul of Mohammed! — {His arms 
drop despairingly.) Must we, like bound and gap- 
ing fools, watch while this poison-bloom swells into 
fruit, — then eat it? I am not so moon-mad as to 
cheapen the power yonder, — {Points without to the 
Sun) — and strangely since dawn — {Striking his 
breast) — hath my raven croaked of the 
Gheber {A trumpet signals without.) 

Ramah — ^Ad Vakass! {Another trump an- 
swers, amid shouts of rejoicing.) 

Caliph {As the noise approaches, — motioning to 

the Sphere) — No word of this! (Ad Vakass 

enters, with six Persians, escorted by many of the 
Caliph's officers.) 



8o HAFED THE PERSIAN 

Ad Vakass {Throwing himself at the Caliph's 
feet) — Great Omar! — late, but here! 

Caliph {Motioning him to rise) — Valor, not 
Vakass, is thy name with Omar! . . . {Turns to 
the Persians) And ye, O generous Guests, shall 
find your trust repaid. {By a gesture including all, 
who have paused at some distance) Be welcome! 

Amidar {Stepping forth, haughtily) — ^We come 
not, O king of Arabia, to sup of your courtly 
sweets, — for our festal robes have been torn into 
swaths and shrouds! We come at your whim, se- 
cured by your sacred pledge, from a weeping Moth- 
erland, — to wipe from her page of heroes the name 
of a curst Arch-Traitor. Say no more, but produce 
him! 

Caliph {Smoothly, to Ad Vakass) — ^Who is this 
pepper-pot ? 

Jafez {As eldest, advancing proudly) — One who 
has seasoned your dishes, — whose faith burns 
true. . . . {Beckons his other comrades.) 

Caliph {Smiling gri?nly, to Ramah) — They 
cling to the fire! 

Jafez {Presenting all five) — Amidar, Firouz, 
Alzarman, Gudarz, Hujir, — of whom, not vaunt- 
ing, you have heard ere now: — {Laying his hand on 
his breast and bowing profoundly) — ^Jafez, your 
servant, — not your subject! 

Caliph {Fervently) — I would to Heaven ye 
knew my heart toward you ! — Ye might disclaim me 
less harshly. I would not only give you this traitor, 
but cure your sick country through honorable 
peace 

Amidar {Quickly) — She chooses more honorable 
death ! 



ACT IV 8i 

Caliph {Blandly J to the rest) — I appeal to you, 
— cool him, lest we all smoke ! 

Gudarz {Half-derisivelyj slapping Amidar on 
the back) — Ha! — Take you, and give not? 

Caliph {As Amidar turns off sullenly) — ^Twere 
Kinfflier to give all! — and so would I 

Hujir {Determinedly) — Just give us Hafed! 

Caliph — Ay, — Ay — only first hear me: — You 
think we have bled our people — braved your hatred 
— for some alms of conquest? — ^We need not nor 
want them, save to spread the Stream of True 
Waters 

Alzarman — Hafed first, and talk after! 

His comrades {In chorus) — Hafed first! . . . 
He shuffles! . . . Where s Hafedf 

Caliph {Vexedly, to an officer) — Go fetch the 

Gheber — Ha! {At a sound of commotion 

all turn; from the rear, Geshem rushes in, breath- 
less. ) 

Geshem {Wildly, — dropping at Omar's feet) — 
Slay — slay me! — The Gheber! — {His voice fail- 
ing) — gone! {A very howl of rage rises; every 
blade leaps forth, threatening.) 

Caliph {Hoarsely) — Gone! — and thou livestf — 

Geshem {Beseechingly) — Hear me — then slay! 
... At sunset yesterday,— I still on guard — 
Ismiel, thy fool, ran up — in thy name took my 
place — bidding me mount and speed as wind to halt 
Ad Vakass, and turn back these Persians. . . 
Flying to thy will, — from road to road, within a 
half-league of the Gheber camp, distraught I tore 
— to find at last he'd passed me ! . . . Rushing back 
and up the passage — {Gasps, shuddering) — ^Allah 



82 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

receive me! — Ismiel was vanished! — Hafed gone! 
{As though overcome, falls prostrate.) 

The Persians {Stormilyj ovef the prostrate Arab) 
— Treason! A treason!! 

Caliph (Fiercely) — Treason — ? Treason — / 
Haroot and Maroot! — Devil's magic, say! — Or — 

stop! {To Ramah) — The fool — this 

Ismiel 

Ramah — A Persian convert of the Devil's 
own! 

Caliph {Trembling with rage, — to the Ghebers) 
— ^Ay! — there's your treachery! — the Persian brand 
— that sells a sovereign — turns again and sells 

The Ghebers {Springing toward him) — Dog! — 
Villain ! !— Demon !!! 

The Arabs { Turbulently, while those nearest the 
Ghebers clutch with them) — A plot! . . . 'Way 
with the truce! — a plot!! {In the ensuing up- 
roar, while the Persians maJ^e desperate defence, 
Geshem, unnoticed, crawls off.) 

Caliph {Shouting over the din, to his men) — 
The truce is dead! — your honor lives! — Lay on! 
{The frenzy quickens. By force of numbers, the 
Persians are overpowered). 

Caliph {Hastily) — Bind them and hear me! 

{The prisojiers, more or less wounded and bleed- 
ing, are quickly shackled together, save Amidar, 
who, at the Caliph's feet, lies mortally hurt and 
expiring.) 

Caliph {Scathingly, to the Ghebers) — O, 
spawn of Treachery! — ^With your lep'rous tricks, 
thought ye to fool us? We gave you honest truce 
to gain your traitor, — but, by the fiend! — 'tis ye, — 
ye, only, stole him and pushed here, bent upon death 



ACT IV 83 

and slaughter! Your game is lost. . . . {Waves 
his hand to the Guards) Behead them! {As 
amidst loud cries of approval^ the guards start out 
with the Persians, a shadow falls in the pavilion.) 

Caliph {To Ramah) — Even the day seems 

darker for these swine {A startled cry, and, 

in the same breath, excited exclamations, cause the 
Caliph and Ramah to turn; — a sudden dimness 
of the sun is discernible without, while everywhere 
spreads a cold shadow.) 

Caliph {^s though by an inexplicable impulse 
looking to the Sun-ball and finding it colorless 
gray) — Allah! — {Catching Ramah's arm, points) 
— See you it? What 

Several Voices {In awe-stricken tones) — The 
Sun!— The Sun!— Allah Ilallah!—the sky!! 

{ They are echoed without by the screaming and 
shrieking of women. As though withdrawn from 
the heavens, the Sun has faded from sight and a 
shadow of twilight fallen, which gradually deep- 
ens. Terrified and groaning, the company falls on 
its knees, save the Ghebers in bonds, whom the 
guards, fleeing to the feet of the Caliph, leave 
standing apart. The screams without growing near- 
er, the darkness is filled with shrieking figures of 
women rushing, frantic, in the pavilion. Then over 
all settles a mid-night Darkness. Into the murky 
sky, glimpsed beyond, a star here and there trem- 
bles palely. The pavilion resounds with groaning. 
Suddenly, dread as thunder, from the Court-walls 
beyond, sounds deafening crash after crash, fol- 
lowed by a terrible tumult of noise, like the crum- 
bling of mighty stones and the fury of drums in 
battle. All other sounds drown; — only in the black- 



84 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

ness of the pavilion the crouchiiig forms show 
vaguely^ swaying like souls in torture. The pande- 
monium grows nearer; the pavilion fills with a noise 
of trampling and clank of metal; then, the noise 
suddenly ceasing^ there is a moment heavy with si- 
lence, while the darkness gradually lifts, and, amid 
a loud blare of trumpets, the sun shines forth un- 
obscured. The noonlight streams through the win- 
dow on a strange scene. Sternly facing the half- 
prostrate Caliph, in front of the shackled Per- 
sians, stands Hafed, sword drawn, at the head of 
a large body of Ghebers, armed to the teeth. At 
Hafed's right hand stands Serjus, next him. 
Rosier. Trapped and surrounded, the bewildered 
AlL4BS show quite overwhelmed, and with eye- 
balls starting, men and women stare horror-struck. 
In a corner aside, clasped in each other s arms, kneel 
Darilla and Zenna, — the girl hugging tight to 
her bosom the cross. The Sun-ball shows utterly 
dark. For one hushed and motionless instant all 
seems a fantastic picture. Then the Caliph, cow- 
ering, raises himself and stretches a shaking hand 
toward Hafed.) 

Caliph {Faltering, — as one in a dream) — What 
— wouldst — thou ? 

Hafed {Roundly) — Everything! (Baril- 
la, springing up, leans forward, her face luminous, 
expectant. The Caliph draws back, shrunken to- 
gether. The Arabs with a feint of protection rise to 
their feet.) 

Hafed — But, by your admirable example, — "first 
to the ladyT 

Darilla {Impetuously meeting him as he strides 



ACT IV 85 

toward her^ — her voice between lauffhter and sob) 

—Hafedl—Hero ! 

{Radiantly he leads her back to his former place. 
Motioning his men^ they cut the bonds of their com- 
rades. The Caliph regards him shudderingly, as, 
stooping to feel of Amidar's heart and finding it 
still, he rises, once more stern-faced.) 

Hafed {JVith a pitying gesture, as, at his sign, 
the body is gently borne out) — Such losses are dearly 
bought with even a nation's peace, — and we, — are a 
handful! But, praise Heaven! — the time is past 
for a barter. We demand — not plead, — and you, 
O Caliph, may no more deny us! Much of Per- 
sia lies dead, — more writhes in your clutch, — but 
from this hour on, a moiety of her bruised borders 
is free of your heel and Mohammed's! {The 
Ghebers cheer loudly. The Caliph shrinks fur- 
ther.) Our unconquered remnant shall live as they 
list — pray as they please — and swear by what proph- 
et they fancy — {Raising his sword) — so help me 
Heaven! {The Ghebers, whirling high their 
weapons, cheer wildly. Darilla softly kisses her 
cross — while her eyes, jnisty, yet a-light, shine upon 
Hafed.) 

Caliph {Tremblingly) — We would not deny 
you 

Hafed {Snatching from his bosom a parchment 
and thrusting it before the eyes of the Caliph) — 
On my soul you will not ! — For reminder — there at 
the bottom is a little space — ^write in it, *'Omar" ! 
{Thrusts into the Caliph's hands a reed dipped in 
ink, proffered by the Buffoon, who has held it 
and the ink-vessel, ready. The Caliph, after a des- 



86 HAFED THE PERSIAN 

perate look around him, takes the paper, and shak- 
ingly signs.) 

Caliph {With an effort at composure, to his peo- 
ple, as Hafed receives back the parchment) — 
Friends all, — in yon late-blackened sky methought 
we saw great Allah's frown; — {Points to the still- 
darkened Sun-ball) — that sacred sign confirms us; 
— {Spreads out his hands, unctuously) — Bend to 
Heaven! . . . {The Ghebers, with significant 
looks at their weapons, smile grimly; the Arabs 
bow low in submission.) For ourself, — {Looks up- 
ward piously) — weary and war-sick, we crave no 
other than this cup of Peace! {Seeming suddenly 
aged and ghastly, he sinks into the throne-chair, a 
helpless huddle,) 

Ramah {Defiantly) — But I, — will cleanse the 
Cup! {Lunges furiously at Hafed's throat. 
Darilla, with a cry of terror, springs forward.) 

Hafed {Putting her back, and with wondrous 
agility parrying, — to Ramah) — Beware my proph- 
ecy! 

Ramah {His eyes grown murderous, thrusting 
with lightning swiftness) — False prophet! — 
Ah-h-h! (Hafed, being forced to strike out, 
Ramah is pierced to the heart, and, groaning, falls 
dead at the feet of Omar, — his face being hid in 
the Caliph's mantle. With a shriek, Ilya bounds 
forward and frenziedly clasps him.) 

Ilya {Frantically) — Ah?ned! — Ahmed!! 
{Snatching at a tiny scent-bottle hung on her bosom, 
even as the Buffoon and Darilla^ with startled 
cries, spring to her, she swallows its contents.) 

Ilya {Gaspingly, — her form, supported by the 
Buffoon and Geshem, growing rigid, — her face 



ACT IV 87 

wildly seeking the dead man) — ^Ahmed! — we drink 
— the Cup — of Peace! {Lifeless, her head falls 
back on the Buffoon's bosom.) 

(Darilla tearfully kisses her brow as the Buf- 
foon, groaning in anguish, is assisted by Geshem 
to bear out his woeful burden, amid the sobs of the 
women and the pitying glances of all.) 

Hafed {Half -compassionately, as others follow 
with the body of Ramah) — Poor wretch! — Fate 
would not be juggled! {Stepping to the side of 
Darilla, he turns gravely to the Ghebers.) 

Hafed {Raising his hand, solemnly) — Comrades 
who touch hands with Freedom, — all is not finished ! 
When ye followed me here, I was under your ban, 
and I swore when our business was through to abide 
by your sentence 

The Ghebers {PFith mighty shouts drowning his 
voice) — Lead us! Lead us still! Hero!! , . . 
Hafed forever! 

Hafed {His head high with a look of proud joy, 
— his voice a-thrill with emotion) — Brothers-in- 
arms, in my dreams I shall always lead you, — all my 
days I shall love you, — but the march is done, and 
home beckons. ... In your ears are the hymns of 
Victory; in mine, — song-sweet down the distance, 
the voice of my Mother, France ! . . . Long has 
she called me unheeded, but today I yearn for her 
face, — and tomorrow, please God! I shall turn to 
her bloom-bright shores with the orient-treasure — 
{Lifting Darilla's hand, he clasps it firmly, smil- 
ing the while at her blushes) — ordained of the 
stars for the Gheber! 

CURTAIN 



